JEM rebels clash with government troops in North Darfur
November 5, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Friday clashed with the Sudanese army in North Kordofan, two days after similar fighting in South Darfur.
JEM military spokesperson said today a government mobile force mounted on 147 vehicles attacked their troops at Hamari, south of Ghibaisha town in North Kordofan.
Ali Alwafi further said they captured 35 vehicles and destroyed other 12.
No other figures about the human causalities were reported.
“JEM troops too suffered some minor injuries and few fatalities,” said the rebel spokesperson.
Yesterday the Sudanese police released a statement saying that JEM rebels killed 36 policemen escorting a commercial convoy in South Darfur two days ago. The authorities said the commercial lorries had been ambushed by the rebels who deny the accusation saying they were attacked by the police.
JEM left the negotiating table last May accusing the Sudanese army of attacking its positions in Darfur after the signing of a truce last February with the government in Doha.
A delegation of the rebel group is expected in Doha to discuss the conditions of their return to the talks. But the government said it would not wait indefinitely to negotiate a political settlement of the seven year conflict.
(ST)
Paul Ongee
JEM rebels clash with government troops in North Darfur
Khartoum keeps on deceiving the world that the commercial convoy was escorted by police in which 36 policemen got killed. How can a convoy of over 400 commercial vehicles be escorted by police? Whether it was a commercial convoy or not the people killed by JEM are men (soldiers) on military uniforms not police. JEM appears to be gaining ground steadily up to 2011 before they converge on the capital city again.
JEM is using excellent guerrilla tactics now. This is the same tactics Khartoum is training LRA to terrorize South. Hit SAF in the North today and tomorrow somewhere else in the South Darfur so that you have enough room and time to maneuver, plan and launch attacks at your own disposal. Khartoum didn’t win and cannot win any battle if guerrilla tactics is properly planned and executed effectively. Can you imagine how Khartoum, regardless of signed cease fire, negotiates peace while maintains military pressure on the partner? It listens better when military language is equally exchanged on the battle fields.
Remember in 2003, Khartoum said there were only bandits, denying the existence of rebel movements in the poor region of Darfur which later negotiated and signed DPA with one of the factions. Self-delusion is not holding anything. The best way to negotiate peace with Khartoum is when you’re in strong military and political positions. Never make a mistake of Tijani El-Sissi who is wasting his time in Doha.