SPLM-N rebels claim seizure of strategic garrisons in S. Kordofan

August 18, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) said it has seized control of Gadier and Abu Grain garrisons in South Kordofan state.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, SPLM-N official spokesperson, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, said their forces captured the historic garrison of Gadier and Abu Grain garrison on 12 August. stressing they seized all military equipments and weaponry in the two garrisons including canons and Kalashnikov rifles.

Sudanese army spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

Lodi said the government troops have fled the two garrisons, pointing to the historic importance of Gadier garrison which harboured the leader of the Mahdist revolution, Imam Mohamed Ahmed al-Mahdi, in the 19th century while he was heading towards El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan.

He pointed to the strategic importance of the two garrisons, saying they link between the eastern and western hills and have direct influence on the strategic garrison of Liri.

The rebel spokesperson further said the presence of the SPLM-N forces in these new areas comes within the framework of a comprehensive plan to expand the operations in order to hold off the government’s summer campaigns.

It should be mentioned that the Sudanese army continued to carry out military campaigns dubbed “Decisive Summer” every year with the aim of crushing rebellion in the South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur.

South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile state have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and the Sudanese army since 2011.

The Sudanese government and rebel group failed to reach a cessation of hostilities agreement after a series of talks brokered by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) in December 2014.

Since, the fighting between the warring parties resumed in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

(ST)