‘Scores dead’, further gains for Sudan rebels in South Kordofan

Scores of dead and wounded have been reported as rebel forces consolidate their gains on key points in Sudan’s South Kordofan.

Rebel forces took control of El Rahmania, 25 kilometres southwest of Abu Jubaiha on the main road to Kologi on Thursday, following a fierce battle with government forces. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that they saw “dozens of casualties on both sides”. There were also significant losses in vehicles, machinery, and military equipment.

Most of the area’s civilian population has escaped and gone into hiding. The fighting has cut all communications in the area and all roads to El Rahmania were closed on Friday.

Kologi

The casualty list following Thursday’s rebel attack on Kologi has risen to 29 dead and 23 injured, a relative of the victims told Radio Dabanga. The latest count speaks of 29 dead, including a woman and her child. Of the 23 injured, two are in serious condition.

The witness said that due to the fighting, government authorities cannot transfer the wounded to Abu Jubaiha where there is a large hospital, but noted that the rebel forces “did not infringe upon the citizens, their property or their money, and did not take anything with them when leaving the area.”

Sudanese military spokesman Colonel Sawarmi Khaled Saad, has acknowledged the attack on Kologi, saying that seven government troops lost their lives. He also acknowledged that Division North was under attack in the El Rahmania area in Abu Jubaiha locality.

In a statement, Arno Ngutulu Lodi, spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), said the aim of the attack on the Kologi, Tozi, and El Rahmania is the launch of the “Sudan Appeal military campaign” to strip the Sudanese forces and militias of weapons and equipment, garrison by garrison. It is also in solidarity and support of the “Leave!” campaign to stop the April elections, and overthrow the government.

The Governor of South Kordofan, Adam El Faki, also confirmed that seven government troops are dead and several injured following a rebel attack on the El Rahmania area, but he gave no further details.