Darfur rebels shell Al-Fasher
November 17, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) said they hit Friday the capital of North Darfur state, Al-Fasher, but military sources played down the attack.
The group which is a member of an alliance of rebel movements, Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), carried out its alleged first attack last month just after a similar attack on Kadugli by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement –North (SPLM-N).
SLM-MM military spokesperson Adam Saleh Abakr said they hit Al-Fasher on Friday evening, adding that the shells landed near Al-Fasher airport, a camp of the Armored Corps and Shalla prison.
In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday, he further urged civilians to avoid military and security areas in the town because they intend to continue their attacks.
A military source however, minimized the attack saying that two shells were launched from an area called Shagra, about 30 kilometers west of Al-Fasher. He further told Ashorooq TV that two rockets landed outside the capital without causing any casualties.
The director of Al-Fasher airport, also denied that the airport had been hit by any projectile pointing out that the air traffic is normal.
Sudanese army did not issue any official statement over the attack.
The SRF forces say they are resolved to topple down Al-Bashir’s regime by all means. They expressed their intention to capture big towns before surrounding the capital and attack government forces.
Since May of this year, Darfur witnessed a surge of violence particularly in North and South Darfur states. Beside the increase of rebel attacks, pro-government militias attacked several villages and aid groups noted new waves of displacement.
Minnawi signed a peace agreement with the Sudanese government in May 2006 but the parties disagreed on the implementation of the security arrangements.
(ST)