Fresh clashes between Sudanese army and rebels in Blue Nile

July 2, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) repelled an attack carried out by the fighters of Sudan people’s Liberation Movement –North (SPLM-N) in the eastern part of the Blue Nile state, Khartoum announced Monday.

In a statement posted on the website of the defense ministry, Al-Sawarmi Khalid, SAF spokesperson said the rebels attacked Diem Mansour area, located south of Kurmuk in the Blue Nile.

Al-Sawarmi further said the Sudanese forces managed to repulse the assailants after the death of their commander and inflicting heavy losses on the SPLM-N rebels.

Last December, the Sudanese army retook the control of Kurmuk, key rebel stronghold town located on the border with Ethiopia and the SPLM-N troops moved southwards to remote areas near the border with South Sudan.

Since, the rebels seek to capture strategic positions in the state as their presence remains limited to the border areas.

JEM PREPARES NEW ATTACKS

Al-Sawarmi, said the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebels, based in South Sudan’s Unity State, are preparing for new attack on South Kordofan areas.

He pointed out that Khartoum monitors all movements of the rebels and “stands ready to deter anyone tempted to carry out any attacks in South Kordofan.”

The spokesperson renewed his accusations against Juba saying it continues to support armed movements. “All indicators confirm the existence of direct support from the South, the so-called Justice and Equality Movement and other armed movements,” he said.

Nhial Deng Nhial, South Sudanese minister of foreign affairs has denied yesterday his government’s support for rebel movements in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan. He further called Khartoum to resolve its internal problems instead of blaming Juba.

(ST)