UNITAMS confirms new attacks by SPLA-N Hilu in Blue Nile area
June 26, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) has confirmed new attacks by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) – Al Hilu on the Sudanese Armed Forces in the Blue Nile region.
Reports indicate that violence broke out on June 25 and 26 in Deim Mansour, Abu Nezir, and Korabody villages in the Kurmuk locality, Blue Nile Region. Reliable sources have revealed that SPLA-N al-Hilu forces, led by Commander Joseph Toka, launched an attack on the Yabous area near Kurmuk and seized the garrison of Deim Mansour.
These attacks follow recent assaults by the SPLA-N on Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan.
As a result of the fighting in the Blue Nile Region, hundreds of civilians have sought refuge in Ethiopia, while others are preparing to move towards Ed Damazin.
UNITAMS urges all parties involved to cease fighting to protect the local population, stated a UNITAMS spokesperson.
The mission further called on all warring parties in the Blue Nile region, Khartoum, North and South Kordofan states, Darfur, and elsewhere to engage in dialogue to resolve their differences and ensure the dignity and respect of all Sudanese.
The SPLM-N al-Hilu did not issue any statement to explain these attacks while the army is fighting the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum and Darfur region.
A group of lawyers supportive of the SPLM-N issued a statement on June 23, expressing their support for the SPLA-N attacks in South Kordofan. They pointed out the escalating insecurity in the country due to clashes between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces.
“The SPLM-N has fulfilled its natural role in protecting innocent civilians against these armed militias or the so-called Rapid Support Forces, as long as the Sudanese Armed Forces are unable to protect themselves and civilians,” read the Nuba Mountains Lawyers Union statement.
The lawyers further emphasized that the SPLM-N had agreed to a unilateral cessation of hostilities with the transitional civilian government and had no legal obligations or agreements with the coup government in Khartoum.
(ST)