Rebels attack Darfur town, government claims rebel leader killed

KHARTOUM, Jan 08, 2004 (dpa) — The Sudanese government has reported that its army has killed rebel leader Abdalla Abakr following a series of firefights in the area of Kornoy, North Darfur region of Western Sudan, reported the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) Thursday.

Another rebel leader was killed during the same attack in Kornoy, according to SUNA, but he was not identified by the government.

SUNA quoted North Dafur Governor Yousif Kibur as saying that the army seized six armoured vehicles in good condition belonging to the rebels in addition to killing a number of rebels during the offensive in Kornoy.

Abakr was a key figure in signing the dishonoured Abache ceasefire agreement between SLM and government of Sudan.

The rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLM) also attacked an area in Um Kadada in North Darfur region, reported the government.

Governor Kibur said that the ambush at Um Kadada targeted defensive positions of mujahedin of the pro-government Popular Defence Forces (PDF), waging holy war there.

But the governor did not reveal any numbers on casualties or injured, but admitted heavy damages were inflicted by the rebels. Kibur did say that the army captured some of the attackers.