SPLM-N rebels claim defeating government forces in Sudan’s Blue Nile

September 18, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Friday said its fighters inflected heavy losses on the government forces and repulsed their attack on its positions in the Ingessana Hills of the Blue Nile state.

SPLM-N spokesperson Arnu Lodi said they repelled an attack carried out by 5,000-strong force on their positions in Jabal Kaiog area of Baw county. He added that the assailing force was mainly composed of the Rapid Support Forces the government brought from Darfur region.

The government forces “have suffered heavy losses in lives and materiel, as they fled, leaving 200 dead on the battlefield,” Lodi said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday evening.

He further pointed they destroyed the two T-55 tanks and seized 78 Kalashnikov, 17 anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and 18 heavy guns.

The rebel official further pointed that they lost one fighter and 12 others were injured.

The Sudanese government military spokesperson was not reachable for comment on these claims.

Efforts are taking place by regional and international actors to end the armed conflicts in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states and Darfur region and to facilitate the national dialogue, but the Sudanese parties are still far from reaching common grounds.

Last August, Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir announced the readiness of his government to sign a two-month ceasefire while the chairman of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) and SPLM-N leader Malik Agar said they are willing for a six-month cessation of hostilities.

The government called on the armed groups to join the national dialogue and accepted to meet them alone in a pre-dialogue meeting outside the country but the SRF called on Khartoum to accept the participation of the political parties in he preparatory meeting.

(ST)