Minnawi group claims seizure of new position in South Darfur
April 14, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan Liberation Movement faction led by Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) claimed on Sunday to killing 43 Sudanese soldiers, as well as the capturing a new area in South Darfur.
Abakar said they killed 73 Sudanese military and captured a number of soldiers, adding that they had also seized a significant quantity of arms and ammunitions.
Earlier this month, the rebel group took the control of Muhajeria and Labado towns in East Darfur. On Saturday, they released 14 Sudanese soldiers captured from both areas.
The fighting also triggered the displacement of thousands of civilians.
UNAMID condemned the rebel attacks and delivered humanitarian assistance to the civilians who sought protection around its team site there.
In a related development, Sudan’s first vice-president discussed the situation in South Darfur with the new governor, Adam Mahmoud Jar Al-Nabi.
Jar Al-Nabi is the third governor to be appointed in the troubled state since 2010. In February 2012, Bashir appointed Hamad Ismail but relieved him last week over his failure to address the security situation in the region.
Besides the recent rebel attacks, armed gangs suspected of being part of former militia elements regularly carry out robbery attacks and kidnappings for ransom.
The new governor, who was sworn in on Sunday, pledged in remarks to the press that he would work to achieve security and stability in the state and secure the border with South Sudan.
(ST)