Darfur rebels claim capture of Sudanese soldiers during recent attack

September 8, 2008 (PARIS) — A Darfur rebel group said they have managed to capture six Sudanese soldiers during recent clashes that erupted in North Darfur this weekend.

Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur, leader of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) told Sudan Tribune that the head of the army attack was Brigadier General Abdel-Salam Mohamed though he was not held captive by his forces.

He gave the names of two of the POW’s as Corporal Mubarak Rahma Gabir Kuwa 21 years, military ID 0075996 and Corporal Abdel-Moniem Mohamed Khamis 25 years military ID 878457.

Al-Nur said he does not have the names of the remaining POW’s immediately available.

The SLM leader called on the Red Cross to contact his group immediately for more information on the captives.

On Sunday several rebel groups said they clashed with the assailant army troops in different positions in northern and western Darfur. The attack was confirmed by aid groups to have displaced thousands of civilians.

The Sudanese army dismissed the accusations indicating they only target carjackers; protect roads, UNAMID and humanitarian convoys.

However, the AU-UN peacekeeping forces confirmed partly the attacks today in its daily bulletin saying the Sudanese troops attacked Disa and Bir Maza, 69 and 90 km north of Kutum.

The UNAMID said also the assailant targeted SLM-Abdel Wahid troops, as one of its commander, Ibrahim Hillu claimed yesterday. The SLM-Unity Command also says they clashed with the army in the same area.

The hybrid mission further spotted attack helicopters landing at Kutum airstrip, a convoy of 120 vehicles and trucks transporting heavy armed troops in the area of Malha.

The clashes come despite a truce declared by the Sudanese army and rebel groups in respect for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

International experts also say more than 300,000 were killed and 2 million have been driven from their homes by the conflict in Darfur, a region that is roughly the size of France.

(ST)