JEM rebels attack army garrison in North Darfur
June 2, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) said Saturday they repelled an attack by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in North Darfur State and killed 45 members of the assailant rebel force.
Yesterday’s assault comes after previous attacks carried by the two main factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM). Different sources confirm that rebels are gathering on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, near East, South and West Darfur states.
Al-Sawarmi Khaled, SAF spokesperson said in a statement published by Sudan’s official news agency (SUNA) that JEM rebels attacked Fataha village, located south of El-Fasher, capital of North Darfur on Saturday afternoon.
He further claimed the assailants looted food from the village’s market and killed some civilians. He further said they clashed with the army and police force in the village before fleeing.
North Darfur governor, Osman Kibir said the rebels attacked Fataha riding vehicles equipped with heavy weapons. He added they clashed with SAF troops present in a small garrison there but did not give detailed information about casualties.
Al-Sawarmi, however, said 45 rebels were killed and 10 rebel vehicles destroyed. He further said the Sudanese troops are still pursuing the rebels who fled westward.
The military spokesperson said the attackers killed a number of soldiers without elaborating.
JEM spokesperson Gibreel Adam Bilal confirmed the attack. He also said the rebels took the control of a garrison of the Sudanese army in the area.
“Our forces are still inside the SAF compound,” Gibreel told the AFP news agency, adding JEM killed an unknown number of soldiers and took 16 of their vehicles.
Governor Kibir said local authorities who were monitoring the rebels, who allegedly arrived from South Sudan, were in a bad condition and had been seeking food and fuel for the last two days.
He also admitted the presence of the rebel force in the area, stressing there is a small force of soldiers in the village. He added that the military authorities are now dealing with the rebel force.
Talks between Sudan and Darfur rebels are deadlocked.
The rebels who are now part of an alliance with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) vow to topple the regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) in Khartoum.
They also demand a comprehensive peace process to discuss the establishment of a secular state and greater administrative autonomy to the regions with better redistribution of national wealth and power sharing.
Khartoum say the Western Sudanese rebels can only join the Doha Document for peace in Darfur and refuse their demands.
(ST)