SLM-AW rebels capture Sudanese army compound in North Darfur
November 26, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW) said they took the control of a military compound in North Darfur and defeated a Sudanese force that attempted to retake it.
Since last May, rebel groups intensified their attacks against the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the two states of South and North Darfur while the government militias carried attacks on camps of internally displaced civilians and villages in North Darfur .
Nimir Abdel Rahman SLM-AW official spokesperson told Sudan Tribune they attacked on Friday a SAF compound in Ed- Al-Nabag, 20 kilometres east to Kebkabiya, which is at 110 kilometres west of Al-Fasher, capital of North Darfur state.
He said the SLM fighters took the control of the military base including and all the logistical an military materials including seven vehicles, guns, ammunitions food and fuel.
Nimir added they repulsed another attack on Saturday evening about 6:00pm (local time) by a Sudanese army force composed of 50 vehicles and two tanks when they tried to to retake the area.
“But our fighters led by commander Saleh Adam Abdallah crashed this force which arrived from Kebkabiya and we killed the colonel Saad Jabir who commanded this forces,” Nimir said.
He said they destroyed the two tanks and 13 vehicles and seized 37 others.
The rebel official pointed out that Sudanese 65 soldiers were killed in Ed- Al-Nabag which is now is under the full control of their troops.
He disclosed they will soon appoint an administrator of the area.
Ed- Al-Nabag is the principal place in Jebel Fi area in Kebkabiya district.
Nimir explained that they attacked Ed- Al-Nabag compound because the army were preparing to attack their positions in the adjacent area, “so we decided to defend ourselves and anticipated their move,” he affirmed.
Sudanese army was not reachable to comment on the rebel claims. Also, SAF spokesperson did not issue a statement on the fight.
SLM-AW and two other rebel groups in Darfur, SLM-Minnawi and Justice and Equality Movement formed an alliance with the SPLM-North which fight the Sudanese army in South Kordofan.
The rebel official derided Khartoum’s announcement of a foiled coup aiming to topple the government of President Omer Al-Bashir saying they want to change the regime and its policy not persons.
He said that “it is high time for change in Sudan” asserting that Bashir is not able to lead the country because of his health troubles and the regime is undermined by power struggle between the different factions.
(ST)