Darfur groups say they killed 214 government troops in recent clashes
May 21, 2017 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and a splinter group from the SLM- Abdel Wahid said they killed 214 government troops in recent clashes in North and East Darfur states on Friday 19 May.
The enemy lost 214 people of different ranks including the Rapid Support Forces Deputy Commander Hamdan al-Samih, who is also the cousin of SRF commander. he was killed in East Darfur Wadi Hawar battle, added the statement.
The joint statement issued 24 hours after the clashes indicate for the first time the participation of the SLM Transitional Council in the fighting. The group is led by Nimir Abdel Raman a former spokesperson of SLM-AW faction.
The SLM-MM and Transitional Council which is not part of any political process signed a coordination agreement in early 2015 but this is the major joint operation against the Sudanese government.
The government and SLM-MM traded accusation following Friday’s clashes of breaching a cessation of hostilities declared unilaterally by the two sides.
The government says the rebels who came from Libya attacked its forces on the border with the north African troubled country. It also says they attacked its forces in East Darfur.
However, the SLM-MM called to condemn the Sudanese government stressing it aggressed its fighters, pointing that RSF spokesperson said that their attack on the armed groups “was designed to curtail any move of the rebel forces including administrative or whatsoever”.
The UNAMID, the only neutral observer on the ground, did not issue a statement on who launched the attack.
(ST)