SLA-Abdel Wahid captures 5 vehicles in Jebel Marra clash

The Sudan Liberation Army faction of Abdel Wahid Al Nur clashed with government forces in East Jebel Marra, according to a rebel official. SLA-AW claims that at 7:30 this morning it defeated an armed force in an area controlled by the rebel movement. Nimr Abdelrahman, the movement’s military spokesman, said that the fighting occurred on the road between Kutur and Deribat. He said they captured five land cruisers, many Dushka cannons and other weapons.Another source, Al Sadiq Rokero, the SLA humanitarian affairs official, told Radio Dabanga that they captured many soldiers in this fighting. The rebels intend to announce the prisoners’ names after questioning them. According to Nimr Abdelrahman, two helicopters and other aircraft were involved in the combat in the area. He suggested that these aircraft may have injured civilians but he does not know. Nimr depicted the fighting as a sign that the government intends to try to suppress the rebellion militarily.

The humanitarian situation for people is bad, said Rokero, mentioning the approaching rainy season which is heavy in those highland areas. The refugees are now in the open without shelter, he said, and the government refuses to allow aid agencies to access the area.