Darfur rebels say they deterred fresh attack by Sudanese militiamen
May 3, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) said they inflected heavy losses on the Sudanese government militiamen following fresh clashes in North Darfur on Saturday 2 May.
SLM-MM military spokesperson Ahmed Ardob in a statement released on Sunday claimed they killed some 60 fighters of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) including the commander of the militia unit Omer Issa and his deputy Issa Fatous.
Ardob also said they destroyed nine vehicles and nine captured others, adding they lost four of their fighters.
The rebel official said the fighting took place in Jumeiza area south-west of Kutum in North Darfur, and pointed that an allied SLM faction led by Mohamed Adam Abdelsalam (Tarada) took part in the fight against the assailant militiamen.
He further said a former rebel commander, Mohamedein Ismail Bashar, took part in the attack, adding he managed to escape to Kutum.
Bashar who was a former leading commander in the SLM-MM signed a peace deal with the Sudanese government on 27 March in the Chadian capital Ndjamena. The signing ceremony was attended by the Chadian foreign minister Musa al-Faki.
The Sudanese army spokesperson was not available for comment on these clashes.
(ST)