Rebels ‘besiege Sudanese Govt. forces’ in Nuba mountains

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), claim that their forces ‘managed to liberate Agab in Heiban county from government forces early on Wednesday morning’.

In a press statement, SPLM-N military spokesman Arnu Ngutulu Lodi says that the Movement “inflicted heavy casualties. SPLM-N captured one Man truck and a small car.

Lodi claims that “Government forces in Karkaria are under complete siege, cut off from any logistic support. Their loses are more than 60 dead, more than ten vehicles destroyed, including one Tank.”

The fighting is reportedly ongoing, and Lodi refutes an earlier Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) claim to have control of Um Serdiba as “absolutely false. “There is still intense fighting between El Nogra and El Atmur so we will keep updating,” he told Radio Dabanga.

‘Victories’

In a later statement the same day, Lodi reports that “SPLM-N forces under the command of Col. Abud Almera managed to repulse attacks by SAL troops and militias on two locations in El Abbasiya county” in the northern part of South Kordofan.

“The defeated enemy forces fled leaving behind seven dead soldiers. A Korean-made jeep was destroyed. There were no casualties on our side.”

Lodi says that also on Wednesday, “SPLM-N forces Mandi sector under command of Lt. Col. Aburas Alabino attacked government forces at Kega hills near Talodi town (in Talodi locality) killing more than 51 enemy soldiers, many others wounded and one Land Cruiser vehicle destroyed.” He says that two rebels were killed and ten others wounded.

“The in the Shat-Abu Saififa and Tass battles, which were jointly led by South Kadugli sector under command of Maj. Yasir Kafi Sabun, Trogi sector under command of Lt. Col. Majak Kafi Jamus, Volcano BTN under command of Lt. Col. Babo Ismail Kuku and under overall command of Brig.Gen. Kuku Idris Alizeriq, the SPLM-N seized three machineguns, two RPG-7 grenade launchers, one 60mm mortar, 17 AKM rifles and one pair of military binoculars.

“The body of SAF Col. Altieb Almotasim Abdojack, commander of 230 paratroope BTN was found in the bush among many other SAF soldiers who died from injuries sustained as they randomly fled to the bush after they were defeated in Karkaria battle.

“The 60 SAF dead include four officers: One Colonel, one Major and two 2nd Lieutenants. Agab details will be released later,” Lodi concluded.

Karkaia and Agab in the Nuba Mountains. (OCHA map of South Kordofan)