Sudanese army attack rebel positions in Darfur Jebel Marra Article Comments (5) Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 9, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan’s army on Wednesday said it attacked rebels from the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur and took control of their positions, but the rebels denied the statement. The Khartoum controlled Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) has intensified attacks on Darfur’s rebel groups, while the government is intending to implement a new plan to achieve peace in the region through dialogue among the tribal leaderships, civil society groups and the elected regional governments. SAF spokesperson Khaled Al-Sawarmi told the pro-government SMC website that the army clashed with SLM fighters after attempts by the rebels to ambush the government forces. He further said that the government troops, which managed to infiltrate Rokero area in North Darfur, killed 15 rebels and destroyed five vehicles. Al-Sawarmi added that two soldiers were killed during the fighting. The Sudanese army says that since last February it has been determined to retake control of positions held by the rebel groups to provide security for civilians and open roads in the troubled region. Reached by Sudan Tribune, the SLA-AW spokesperson Nimer Abdel-Rahman confirmed the attack, adding it started at 8:00am local time. He also denied SAF took control of the area, stressing they repelled the assailing troops. "We killed over hundred soldiers, captured 15 others as prisoners, seized five vehicles and destroyed other seven," he said; adding "We totally control the Rockero, (in North Darfur) and we expect them to resume the attack on Thursday". Nimer also said civilians fled the areas of the clashes but added that they were not affected by the clashes which took place far from their habitations. He also said warplanes participated in the fighting. Last week, the joint African Union / United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) reported that three bombs were dropped on 3 March on the mountains near Samra and Bersi villages, three kilometers northeast of Sortony in North Darfur. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
