Sudan’s rebels say they defeated army in Blue Nile State

March 4, 2012 (NAIROBI) – Rebels in Sudan’s southern state of Blue Nile said they clashed on Saturday with the country’s army and killed 24 soldiers.

The fighting took place on Saturday evening in Al-Ahmar Sadak area in Al-Tadamon locality, south east of Al-Kurmuk town, the official spokesman for the rebel group Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N), Arnu Loddi, told Sudan Tribune.

According to Loddi, SPLM-N forces managed to destroy three Land Cruiser vehicles and seize a great amount of ammunition. He added that the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) fled the area leaving 24 dead bodies behind.

Sudan Tribune could not reach SAF’s spokesman for comment.

“This is another message from the Sudanese Revolutionary Forces (SRF) and SPLM-N to the regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) that we are advancing on all fronts. Our struggle is continuing and our victory is certain” Loddi said.

The SPLM-N has been fighting government forces in South Kordofan as of June and in Blue Nile as of September last year.

The group forged the SRF alliance in November with three rebel groups from the country’s western region of Darfur, and vowed joint military operations to overthrow the government.

Sudan accuses neighbouring South Sudan of supporting the rebels but Juba denies the charge.

Most recently Khartoum said South Sudan’s army had supported and participated in an attack launched by SRF forces on the border town of Jau, on 26 February.

(ST)