Fresh fighting reported in Darfur between army and JEM rebels

November 3, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese government forces and rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) clashed today in South Darfur state for the first time since several months, the two parties said.

The fighting took place at Khor Taan, 50km east of South Darfur state capital, Nyala. None of the two belligerents provided the details of human causalities but JEM claimed capturing 13 vehicles.

JEM “captured 13 vehicles and destroyed many more. Three of JEM fighters were injured in the combat, none of them seriously,” said JEM military spokesperson Ali Alwafi.

The rebel group said clashes erupted when the government troops attacked one of their mobile units while the Sudanese police said the rebels ambushed a commercial convoy escorted by its forces.

The police, in a statement released today in El-Fasher, stressed that its troops from the Central Reserve forces repulsed the rebels who suffered heavy losses. It further said the assailants were unable to capture any of the contents of the convoy and the government troops pursuing them.

JEM rebels froze their participation in the Doha peace process last May accusing the army of keeping attacks on their positions in Darfur despite a cessation of hostilities deal they had signed in February.

The rebel group released several statements last week speaking about military mobilization of government forces in the region warning that the army is preparing to attack their positions.

On the other hand the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur said 5 people, including a woman and its child, were killed during an attack on Tinah, in North Darfur last Monday.

SLA military spokesperson, Nimer Abdel Rahman, also cited another government militia attack in Tabaldiya on civilian vehicles heading from Nyala to Gorlang Dang, southern Jebel Marra in South Darfur state.

(ST)