Sudanese army recapture rebel positions in eastern Jebel Marra : spokesperson
January 1, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) recaptured strategic rebel positions in the eastern part of Jebel Marra in Darfur region after a series of clashes against the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)’s factions, said a military spokesperson on Thursday.
However the rebels who confirmed the clashes denied the claim.
“In the framework of the Decisive Summer operations, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in a simultaneous operation with the sixth Infantry Division managed to expel the rebels from Fanga area in eastern Jebel Marra in the evening of the first January 2015,” said SAF spokesperson al-Sawarmi Khaled.
Khaled further added that area hosted the command of joint operations of SLM – Abel Wahid al-Nor (SLM-AW) and SLM- Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) fighters in East, North, and South Darfur states.
The military statement said “the victory was achieved” after the recapture of several areas during the past days by the army and the RSF before to take Fanga area which is known for its rugged mountain caves.
SAF spokesperson said the assailant forces inflicted heavy losses among the rebels, adding they killed about 50 fighters and seized 50 vehicles besides a large number of military hardware.
Following the failure of talks with two Darfur rebel groups in Addis Ababa on a cessation of hostility agreement, the Sudanese army announced the resumption of military operations against the rebels and intensified air raids on their positions.
REBELS CONFIRM CLASHES
SLM-MM spokesperson Abdllah Mursal issued a statement confirming the clashes with the Sudanese army, but he said they managed to repel the attacks and to destroy “most of the enemy tanks and four-wheel-drive vehicles”.
Mursal in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune accused the Sudanese army of burning villages and looting 90% of civilian belongings in the area.
He also said that two rebel factions, SLM for Justice (Karbino) and Liberation Forces Movement (LFM) of Mohamed Abdel Salam Tarada took part in the fighting besides the SLM-MM fighters.
Tarada was the deputy general commander of the SLM-AW. Karbino was killed earlier this year but his group is still operating with Minnawi group.
(ST)