Rebels claim attack on military convoys in North Darfur

Joint rebel forces reportedly destroyed two military convoys in North Darfur on Wednesday. The Sudan Liberation Movement for Justice (SLMJ), in cooperation with the Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM), today attacked two military convoys in Jebel Hireiz, located between Shangil Tobaya and Abu Zireiga. SLMJ spokesman Mohamed Ahmed Yagoub reported to Radio Dabanga that 17 government troops were killed, and seven military vehicles were destroyed. Citizens in East Jebel Marra and Shangil Tobaya told Radio Dabanga that they heard sounds of shelling and heavy firing of various weapons on Wednesday afternoon, coming from the area between Abu Zireiga and Shangil Tobaya. They also saw aircraft circling above the area “for a long time”. The sources also reported that a large group of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in 45 armoured vehicles passed their areas on Tuesday evening. The militia troops were on their way from South Darfur’s capital of Nyala to El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. “When the rapid support gunmen passed Wadi Marra, they stole five sheep from a villager. They loaded the sheep on their vehicles, and continued in the direction of El Fasher.” The SLMJ was formerly led by Ali Abdallah Karbino. He was killed on 27 June in a battle in Kutum locality in North Darfur. Karbino defected from the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), led by Tijani Sese, before the latter signed the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in 2011. Karbino led his faction for two years, after which the movement elected Taher Hajar as their formal leader, while Karbino continued to command his troops in the field. In cooperation with the SLM-MM, Karbino led several attacks on military targets in Darfur. File photo Related: Rebel leader Ali Karbino killed in North Darfur (29 June 2014)