Sudanese army clash with JEM rebels near Heglig
March 28, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) clashed with rebel group the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on Wednesday in the restive state of South Kordofan state near Heglig where the Khartoum government accused them of carrying out a joint attack three days ago with the South Sudanese army (SPLA).
The Sudanese army announced that its troops fully control the oil-producing Heglig area after clashes on Monday with the South Sudanese troops and JEM rebels. Also reporters were invited to visit it as Juba announced the withdrawal of its troops.
Military sources told Sudan Tribune that clashes occurred outside Heglig as JEM rebels were moving eastward from the area to inside South Kordofan to the position of their allies of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North in Talodi.
The Sudanese military sources further reaffirmed that JEM took part in the attack on Heglig the assault meant to undermine the presidential summit which was scheduled to take place on 3 April in Juba.
JEM or other members of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), did not react to the Sudanese accusations of being part of the attack. Sudan had days before Pagan Amum’s visit to Khartoum last week accused the rebels of attacking Heglig but they denied the attack.
Speaking to reporters during their visit to Heglig, Lt. General Abdel-Moneim Saad, SAF Deputy Chief of Staff, said the army was conducting combing operations to control the oil producing region after the fight with the South Sudan army.
He pointed out that the Sudanese army protect the border at a distance of 36 kilometers from Heglig.
Besides the signing of border and citizenship deals, the presidential meeting of 3 April was expected also to discuss and take measures to ease tensions between the two countries caused by the presence of rebel groups in the two countries.
South Sudan’s chief negotiator Pagan on Monday briefed the cabinet in an extraordinary meeting chaired by president Salva Kiir about what was agreed during his visit to Khartoum before the visit of the Sudanese president to Juba.
Hours, before Kiir’s statements on Monday where he declared the capture of Heglig, the South Sudan government had decided to create a conducive environment for talks with the Sudan ahead of Bashir’s visit and to organise a warm for him on 3 April.
Khartoum has said that due to the security situation the visit has been cancelled.
(ST)