Sudanese army admits attacks on rebel controlled areas in Jebel Marra
October 7, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese army acknowledged today attacking rebel controlled areas in central Darfur mountainous area of Jebel Marra, saying it has successfully cleared the presence of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur in different locations.
The army announced the opening of the traffic between Katour, Darban, Jawa and Souni which is now under the control of government troops, the statement said.
Yesterday, SLA general commander Abdel Gadir Abdel Rahman Ibrahim (Gadora) told Sudan Tribune that government warplanes bombed Souni in eastern Jebel Marra, adding the attack displaced some thousands of civilians.
However, SAF spokesperson denied in his statement the bombing of Souni or neighboring sites saying only ground troops took the control of the site.
The SLM fighters who belong to the same ethnic group – Fur tribe- as the residents of Jebel Marra, say to join the peace process they want the government to disarm its militias and create necessary conditions to protect civilians.
The mediation and French authorities consult regularly with the Paris based SLM leader Nur to find a compromise reconciling rebels’ demands and the need to join the peace process in Doha.
However, the army said civilians have begun to regain their villages after the eviction of rebels from these places.
The statement pointed out that the armed forces have met little resistance as it enters into Souni stressing on the earnest efforts by the Sudanese armed forces to protect the civilians in all parts of the country.
Yesterday the SLA general commander called on the visiting UN Security Council to inspect the bombed areas in Jebel Marr saying thousands of civilians are without shelter after they fled from their villages.
(ST)