On October 19 Darfur rebels in the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) accused the Sudanese government of violating the ceasefire agreement 47 times "in the last 45 days." The ceasefire agreement went into effect September 6 and was to last six weeks, which means the ceasefire ended October 18. The same rebel communication accused the government of attacks on civilians on October 17 and October 18. The SLM claimed "government helicopters" attacked villages in North Darfur state on those dates. On October 20 new fighting was reported. The Sudanese government said "tribal militias" struck 15 villages in West Darfur state.