Sudanese army repels attack by rebel faction in West Darfur: spokesperson

June 17, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – June 17, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF) said its troops repulsed an attack by unnamed rebel group against its positions in Silai’a area, 64km north of West Darfur state capital of El-Ginaina.

The official news agency SUNA on Wednesday quoted SAF spokesperson, Col. al-Sawarmi Khaled Saad as saying that a rebel group on Tuesday attacked army position in Silai’a area, noting their troops repulsed the attack and inflicted a number of dead and wounded on the rebels.

Saad added the government forces seized two Land Cruiser vehicles and destroyed two others, pointing that one army soldiers was killed in the attack and four others injured.

The Sudanese military also said their forces combed the area and chased the fleeing rebels, noting the situation is currently stable in the area.

However, the spokesperson did not clarify whether the attackers belong to an armed rebel group or they belong to an armed gang.

Armed clashes between government army and rebel groups are rare in West Darfur which has been recently classified as the most secure and stable state amongst Darfur’s five states.

CENTRAL DARFUR PROTESTS

Meanwhile, the pro-government Sudan Media Center (SMC) said that a joint regular force has contained Wednesday rioters in downtown Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur state.

According to SMC, the protest was carried out by a group of former fighters from rebel groups who are seeking integration into the Sudanese army.

A reliable source from the state’s security told SMC that a joint force from the army, police and security services managed to contain the situation by driving the rioters out of commercial market.

The same stressed that the security situation is stable and life is going on as normal in Zalingei, describing the way the regular forces dealt with the protesters as “wise”.

(ST)