Sudanese army attack JEM rebels near Chadian border

November 7, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Government troops defeated rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in north Darfur near the Chadian border, said Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) spokesperson Al-Sawarmi Khaled in press statement released Sunday.

SAF managed to destroy today fighters of the rebel Justice and Equality (JEM) in Buba and Fourawya in North Darfur not far from Chadian border, forcing them to flee, leaving behind a large number of weapons and ammunition, said the military communiqué.

Yesterday JEM rebels said they clashed with the Sudanese forces in Um Faniya, 25k North-East of Kornoi, in North Darfur state. The two belligerents had also confirmed fighting in South Darfur and North Kordofan.

Commenting the recent surge of violence in different states, Al-Sawarmi said the rebels deployed small groups in different states of Darfur and Kordofan targeting commercial convoys.

He further said they captured some 21 vehicles indicating they lost three soldiers in today attack.

The Joint Chief Mediators Djibril Bassole who plans to hold a series of consultations with the rebel groups – JEM and SLM– before the signing of a peace agreement between the government and Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) on Sunday urged the Sudanese president to cease military activities in the troubled region to facilitate dialogue with the rebels.

The joint Sudanese Chadian force announced today they increased the number of its troops and intensified patrols along the border between the two countries. The initial number of the force is 3000 elements.

(ST)