Rebels claim hits on two Sudanese Air Force helicopters

The air defence forces of the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) on Thursday claimed to have hit two helicopters of the Sudanese Air Force at Umm Gunja, 140km south of Nyala, capital of South Darfur. The military spokesman of the SLM-MM, Adam Salih Abakir, on Friday reported from the field to Radio Dabanga. Abakir stated that the hovering of helicopters and other aircraft above areas controlled by the rebel movement usually means the government’s start of military operations after the rainy season has ended. He referred in this context in particular to the preoccupation of the governor of South Darfur with the preparation of sending two military convoys to the rebel-controlled areas. He asserted that the SLM forces are utterly prepared “to eliminate” them. The Sudanese Armed Forces, in cooperation with other armed forces, on Thursday and Friday organised a military parade, moving through the streets of Nyala. In their speeches, the Governor of South Darfur state, Major General Adam Mahmoud El Nabi, as well as armed forces, warned that the coming months “will be very hot” for the rebel movements. File photo: Sudanese Armed Forces on parade