Darfur rebels claim “major victory” against Sudanese army

December 23, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — A newly announced Darfur rebel alliance led by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) inflicted heavy losses on government troops after fierce fighting in Shangili Tobayi, North Darfur state, today.

Today’s fighting took place days following repeated announcements by North Darfur governor Osman Mohamed Yousef Kibir that his state is free of rebel controlled areas after attacks in Shangili Tobayi on SLM-Minni Minnawi forces seen as legitimate target by the regular army.

The Alliance of Resistance Forces (ARF) “scored a major victory against (Sudanese army) at Dar El Salam, 60km south of El-Fashir,” said a military statement released Ali Wafi, military spokesperson of JEM rebels.

Dar El Salam is located at 35k away from Shangili Tobayi “whose population were bombed out of their homes in the last two weeks”

The rebel military spokesperson did not mention the human casualties among the Sudanese army but said they captured 28 vehicles and one artillery truck. He also said they would release names of prisoners of war in the next few days.

Wafi also admitted they lost three soldiers and eight others injured.

Delegations from the government and JEM engaged this week talks on a ceasefire deal in Darfur, as they pledged to sign it before the end of the year. The mediation said the ceasefire would diminish tension between the parties before the South Sudan referendum on self-determination.

Ahmed Hussein Adam, JEM official spokesperson told Sudan Tribune from Doha that his group remains committed to the peace process and the negotiations on a ceasefire agreement despite the fact that “we have the military upper hand on the ground”.

“We want to conclude this ceasefire in the interest of civilians and IDPs that we are keen to protect.”

Ahmed said the government delegation postponed a meeting scheduled to be held on with the government delegation on Thursday where they had to discuss the details of the some points related the ceasefire.

“We are wondering if they are serious to sign this ceasefire agreement,” he further said.

Last month JEM fighters clashed with the army in Darfur and Kordofan. The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) also accused Southern Sudan government of harboring the rebels and bombed several times the semi autonomous region.

Ali Wafi said the rebel coalition felt obligated to fight the government troops after attacks on women, children and elderly by government troops which carried out attacks against Minnawi forces in the area recently. He also said the six villages had been burnt down by the SAF forces.

UNAMID reported last week that clashes in Sahgili Tobayai on 14 December between Sudanese army and Minnawi troops forced villagers to flee to “Nifasha and Shaddad internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, while others took refuge around the Mission’s team site”.

In its English version, the statement issued by the rebel alliance said that forces loyal to Minnawi and Abdel Wahid Al-Nur took part in the battle.

However, Ahmed Hussein Adam said these rebels who joined JEM recently are part of the alliance forces.

In Doha the discussions between the two delegations on the ceasefire have to resume today as the mediation wants to prepare the ground for peace talks in January next year.

The mediation intends to pave the way for comprehensive talks between the government and JEM rebels who already signed a framework agreement together with the expected arrival of Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur. The latter would join the peace process for the first time since 2006.

(ST)