Darfur rebels say repelled fresh attack in Jebel Marra

February 15, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Darfur rebels said they have repelled a second attack by the Sudanese army in northern Darfur part of Jebel Marra adding they killed 48 troops and lost a fighter from their side.

The government forces and militias launched last week an attack on different positions of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW) in a bid to control the mountainous area which is a stronghold of the rebel group since 2003.

The attacks on the rebel SLA-AW come while other rebel movements are gathered in Doha since 24 January seeking to reach a common ground agreement on how to hold direct talks with the government delegation. But the SLM-AW refused for the moment to join the process demanding security measures for the civilians.

“Government troops, transported by 80 vehicles, for the second day attacked our positions in Aradyeb Al-Asharah, Jebel Marra, said Commander Noureddine Janga in a satellite call with Sudan Tribune from the region.

The rebel commander who retook the control of Gulu last month said four helicopters; two Migs and two Antonov participated in the fighting and bombed their positions. He added they repulsed the attack at 12:30 local time, after fierce battle that lasted around seven hours.

The rebel military official said the Sudanese army left behind 48 bodies while they lost one fighters and other four injured.

The commander also said among the killed they found some members of the Chadian opposition; “We found with them Chadian Identity Cards”, he stressed.

SLA-AW rebels since last summer have accused the army of using Chadian rebels in attacks on areas they control.

Sudan and Chad agreed this month to form a joint force to monitor the border between the two countries; they also pledged to stop any support to the respective rebel groups from both sides.

A leading rebel Ibrahim El-Hilu regretted in a separate statement, that the Arab League holds a meeting in Darfur to support Sudanese government in this pre-election period.

“The Arab League extraordinary meeting held in El-Fasher yesterday means to show support to the ICC wanted Bashir as the National Congress Party is holding electoral meetings though the country,” he said.

Ibrahim condemned the construction of three villages in North, South and West Darfur states adding displaced people should go back to their home villages and not to other places chosen by the government.

The Arab League 22 permanent representatives held unprecedented meeting in El-Fasher yesterday after inaugurating three villages in Darfur province.

Arab League Secretary General, Amr Moussa denied supporting President Bashir saying the elections is an internal matter to be decided by Sudanese voters.

(ST)