Darfur rebels claim Sudanese troops killed top military commander

January 16, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) has conceded that its general commander of operations was killed by the Sudanese army (SAF) in North Darfur state.

“The SLM-MM informs the Sudanese people and the supporters of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) of the martyrdom of Brigadier General Mohamed Hari Shardgo, commander of the Sudan Liberation Army operations and his comrades on 13 January,” said SLM-MM spokesperson Abdallah Mursdal on Friday.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, Mursal added that Shardgo was killed in an ambush while he was inspecting his troops “in various theaters of operations” without indicating the area where he died.

Pro-government websites said Shardgo was killed in Orshy area in North Darfur state, with 30 SLM-MM fighters also reportedly losing their lives in the operation.

The rebel spokesperson said Shardgo, was “one of the pillars of the group since its early inception” and did not leave the battlefield where he remained closes to his soldiers and comrades.

Since the failure of negotiations between the government and Darfur rebels in Addis Ababa last month, the Sudanese army and government militias launched a large-scale offensive on the rebel positions in Darfur and the Two Areas.

Earlier this month. the army announced the recapture of Finga in eastern Jebal Marra, describing it as a strategic headquarters for rebel groups.

On Monday, the government said its troops retook Abu-Liha and Abu-Gamra areas from Minnawi fighters.

(ST)