SPLM-N claims 13 govt. troops killed in Blue Nile state

Rebel fighters of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) reportedly repulsed an attack by army forces and affiliated paramilitaries on Saturday.

SPLM-N spokesman Arnu Ngutulu Lodi reported in a statement today that the rebel fighters managed to disperse a contingent of government forces supported by 13 armoured vehicles at a battle in the area of Torda in Bau locality.

During the fighting that started at 6 am and lasted until 1 pm, 13 government troops were killed and three armoured vehicles were destroyed, Lodi stated. There were no casualties among the rebels.

He added that the SPLM-N rebels seized three RPG-7 rocket launchers, three machineguns, and ten AKM rifles.

According to the spokesman, the rebel forces chased the fleeing government troops to the Maganza river, 45 km south of Ed Damazin, capital of Blue Nile state.

He condemned the attack by the government forces “during the harvest time” and accused the government of attempting to destroy the few yields of this agricultural season.