‘Four soldiers in our custody’

Sudanese Liberation Movement-Abdul Wahid says it also has 13 Land Cruisers belonging to state forces

The Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdul Wahid faction (SLM-AW) announced that the armed resistance group had captured four Sudanese soldiers in the battle of Turntura in Jebel Marra on Thursday. Fresh clashes broke out between the SLM-AW and the government forces in Khunjara region on Wednesday.

Nimr Abdel Rahman, spokesperson of the SLM-AW told Radio Dabanga that among those captured is an officer of the rank of the major in the Central Reserve Police, also known as Abu Tira.

He added that the 13 Land Cruisers belonging to the state forces were also captured by the resistance group.

South Darfur governor: 13 policemen killed

The state of South Darfur acknowledged on Thursday that 13 policemen had been killed and 33 others wounded in a hostage rescue attempt.

Hamid Musa Kasha, governor of South Darfur told Reuters that the police had been trying to free three soldiers who had been taken hostage by an unknown armed group.

However, Nimr Abdel Rahman confirmed with Radio Dabanga that the clashes had not erupted with an unknown armed group but with SLM-AW. He also denied any rescue attempt made by the Sudanese police.

Instead, the SLM-AW spokesperson said that the purpose of government was to launch a comprehensive attack on the armed movement. He said that the group will negotiate the release of the soldiers with the Red Cross.