Sudan army in fresh clashes with SPLA and rebels in Darfur and South Kordofan
April 17, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) has repelled an attack by South Sudan’s army today in al-Meram locality in South Kordofan state, a local official said.
Arabi said that the SPLA wants to disperse SAF efforts in trying to liberate the oil-rich Heglig region occupied by South Sudan last week. He claimed that they inflicted heavy losses on the assailants that are still being counted.
The mayor called it a violation of borders and promises made by South Sudan in the agreements signed and vowed a “double response” to rebellion in his area.
In South Darfur, the deputy governor Abdel-Kareem Moussa said that Darfur rebels the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) attacked the Sispan area in Katila locality, which borders South Sudan.
The mayor of Katila said that JEM destroyed a communication tower and seized fuel supplies. He disclosed that Goghana area was also attacked and killed one cattle herder while injuring another. He added that livestock also perished in the aftermath of the attack.
The Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) issued a statement today claiming that it took control of Um Dafoug in South Darfur. The rebel group said that it seized large amount of weapons and ammunition while killing and injuring many SAF soldiers and taking many prisoners.
“SLM-MM destroyed all military presence for forces of the [ruling] National Congress Party and its militias in the area”.
But the Sudanese information minister and government spokesman Ahmed al-Tayeb denied that the area fell to SLM-MM saying that they left the area after the attack.
(ST)