Satellite images show heavy Sudanese artillery in Blue Nile

Reports ratify claims of an intensifying battle on the third front

New images released by the Sentinel Satellite Project on Friday show troops of the Sudanese army approaching the city of Kurmuk in Blue Nile state.The US-based monitoring group stated that at least 3,000 troops appeared to march towards the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) stronghold of Kurmuk.

The Sentinel Satellite Project had released images of mass graves in South Kordofan earlier this year, revealing the alleged ethnic cleansing taking place in the state.

The clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), the SPLM-N’s armed wing, and the Sudanese armed forces broke out in Blue Nile on September 2.

The UN has released reports saying that nearly 50,000 people have been displaced because of the attacks with over 20,000 fleeing to neighboring Ethiopia. The SPLM-N has since made claims saying that they have nearly 85 per cent of Blue Nile state.

The new satellite images only ratify the intensifying battle on the third front, after Darfur and South Kordodan.

SPLM-N: Dindiro under control

Meanwhile, SPLM-N announced on Friday that it had taken control over Dindiro area after a battle with the Sudanese military. These reports are in contradiction with reports released by the Sudanese army on Thursday that they had the city under their control.

The opposition group claimed that the fighting that lasted more than five hours ended at 10am on Friday morning.

Arnau Nuguthulu, spokesperson of the SPLM-N said that the clashes had led to the destruction of the three Sudanese army posts in Khor Addeleb in South Kordofan on Thursday.

They also reported that the the fighting had led to the many deaths along with the destruction of 13 Land Cruisers. “The army has moved forward in South Kordofan and Blue Nile towards occupation of the main cities entire states,” Nuguthulu said.

Air strikes in Torgi

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Air Force (SAF) launched air raids in Argas and Torgi localities on Friday morning.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the SAF’s Antonov planes dropped six bombs in the area which led to deep trenches in the ground. “The holes in the ground are three meters wide and a meter and a half wide,” one of the witnesses said.