Darfur rebels claim attack in Jebel Marra

The armed rebels in Jebel Marra, Darfur, claimed an attack on militia members in the south of the mountain range on Wednesday morning. They reportedly killed and wounded dozens of militiamen.

Spokesman for the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW) Shahabudin Hagar told Radio Dabanga that the pro-government militiamen, in a convoy of approximately 90 armoured vehicles and others on camels and horses, came under attack in Soula, southern Jebel Marra.

“We confronted the attackers at 9 am. 47 government troops and militiamen were killed or injured.”

Hagar claimed that the rebels destroyed or seized number of vehicles and took ammunition from their opponents.

As a result of the major offensive launched by the Sudanese government in mid-January on strongholds of the rebel SLM-AW, more than 102,700 people were reportedly displaced from Jebel Marra to various locations in North, Central and South Darfur, according to the UN and partners, and the government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) on 6 March.

The Sudan Armed Forces reported one week ago that it is in control of all areas in northern Jebel Marra after the capture of stronghold Fanga, and will continue its offensive against the SLM-AW in the rest of the mountain range.

On 17 February, Abdel Wahid's rebels reported to have battled an army and militia force near Kutrum in southwest Jebel Marra, and recaptured ground.