Sudan army claims it recaptured four areas in S. Kordofan, N. Darfur
January 12, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced on Monday evening that it managed to take back al-Qneziah and Oanagarto areas in South Kordofan from the hands of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) and flushed out Sudan Liberation Army of Minni Minnawi (SLA-MM) from Abu-Liha and Abu-Qamra regions in North Darfur.
SAF has been fighting SPLM-N rebels in Blue Nile and South Kordofan since 2011 and a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.
“In continuation of the decisive summer operation and settling the rebel remnants after kicking them out of Finga region east of Jebel Marra region, the armed forces managed on Monday evening to expel the remnants of the so-called Sudan Liberation Movement rebel faction loyal to Minnawi from Abu-Liha area east of Kutum in North Darfur State,” SAF spokesman al-Sawarmi Khalid Sa’ad said.
Col. Sa’ad said that rebels used Abu-Liha base for operations of sabotage and undermining security and stability, noting that the region became a commercial center and the northern command center of SLA-MM.
He added that it is a populated area in which its residents were denied basic services.
SAF spokesman said that the army continued its advance towards Abu-Qamra which is a transit area for commercial vehicles heading west and a gathering point for various rebel groups.
“The armed forces confirms full control over these crucial areas and is continuing combing and securing and hunting remnants of insurgents,” he said.
In South Kordofan, SAF spokesperson said the army recaptured the two areas of al-Qneziah, northeast of the state capital of Kadugli in the road leading to Um-Sirdiba and Oanagarto which lies east of Kauda.
He said that the rebels suffered heavy losses in lives and equipment in both battles while SAF “lost a number of martyrs and wounded”.
The areas near Kadugli have witnessed military operations between government forces and rebels since last December that reached the outskirts of the state capital with some rockets landing inside it.
(ST)