SPLM-N claims more victories in S. Kordofan and Blue Nile
April 3, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) said its forces have defeated the government troops in Al-Azrag area in South Kordofan state.
The two sides issued daily statements on the development on military fronts indicating the intensification of the clashes.
In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Sunday, SPLM-N spokesperson Arnu Ngutulu Lodi said that fierce clashes are ongoing in Hiban, noting their forces destroyed a government tank and 11 mounted vehicles.
He added that 100 government soldiers have been killed in the three-hour battle.
The Sudanese army spokesperson was not reachable to comment on these claims.
Also, an SPLM-N official said their fighters have shelled military positions inside South Kordofan capital, Kadougli using Katyusha rockets on Sunday morning, pointing they targeted sites where military command meetings are being held.
He stressed that there have been no cases of civilian casualties resulting from the shelling.
In a separate statement, Lodi said the SPLM-N fighters have once again repulsed government attacks aiming at liberating the town of Karkarai and forced them to flee the area.
He said that 13 government soldiers were killed in the second battle at Um Serdibah area, pointing they destroyed a mounted Land Cruiser vehicle and seized weapons including R.P.G-7 missile launchers and B-10 recoilless rifle.
Last week, the Sudanese army said its troops recaptured five rebel positions in the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan including Um Serdibah, “the main rebel stronghold in Kadugli sector”, Ugba, and Musharaka area.
Meanwhile, Lodi announced that new battlefront against the Sudanese army has been opened in Mufu area near Kurmuk in the Blue Nile state.
In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, he said that battles between government army and SPLM-N forces in Mufu area have started on Saturday afternoon and still ongoing.
Lodi claimed that SPLM-N fighters are in full control of the military situation in the area, saying the government troops suffered great losses in lives and equipments.
South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile state have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army since 2011.
Last December, negotiations between Khartoum and the SPLM-N stalled after the government delegation insisted that the objective of talks is to settle the conflict in the Two Areas, while the SPLM-N team has called for a holistic approach to resolve ongoing conflicts across Sudan.
(ST)