Sudanese army clears rebels from eastern S. Kordofan: spokesperson

April 16, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Eastern areas in South Kordofan state, including areas bordering South Sudan, are now free of rebels, said the military spokesperson of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), Al-Sawarmi Khalid, on Wednesday.

SAF “managed to free the following areas (in South Kordofan): Mansoura, Tommy, Tanqlto, Maqlam, Kalopa, Alhuta, Almanazla, Alpirah, Jabel Bermil, Jabel Krmo, Jabel Omdurman and Tarawa. The armed forces have achieved a major victory on the remnants of the rebels, inflicting significant loss of life and equipment on them,” Khalid said.

He added that this action comes in line with the second phase of the so-called “Decisive Summer” operation, aimed at clearing eastern South Kordofan and border areas from rebel groups.

Sudanese defence minister Abdel Rahim Hussein announced two weeks ago the launch of military operations on positions of rebels in Darfur region, South Kordofan, Blue Nile states.

The Rapid Support Forces, government militias reorganised under the command of the National Intelligence and Security Services, participate in these attacks alongside the Sudanese army.

The spokesperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) was not reachable for comment.

The SPLM-N and its allied rebel groups from Darfur region formed a joint command for their troops based in South Kordofan and attempted to extend their military action into North Kordofan state, last year.

Negotiating teams from the Sudanese government and the SPLM-N will meet next Tuesday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, in a bid by the African Union mediation to end the nearly three year conflict in Blue Nile ans South Kordofan states.

However, the SPLM-N said it would stick to its demand for a comprehensive process and reject any discussion on the Two Areas only.

(ST)