‘SPLM-N kills 74 Sudanese troops’ in Malkan, Blue Nile

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) claimed the killing of 74 Sudanese army and militia troops in a battle in the area of Malkan, Blue Nile state, on Friday. Both the army and the rebels continue to claim they are in control of Malkan. The rebel forces, under the banner of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), attacked and destroyed a military convoy, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, spokesman for the SPLM-N, reported to Radio Dabanga on Friday. Lodi confirmed that the SRF has destroyed one tank and a large number of military vehicles. They have seized two tanks and 17 vehicles, among them nine Land Cruisers mounted with Dushka machine guns, a tanker loaded with water, along with various military devices, and three rocket launchers. Lodi said that full details of the battle would be reported in a later stage. “This battle confirms that the Sudanese government is lying when it says that the Sudanese army is in full control of the Malkan area”, Lodi added. He said that the SPLM-N forces are “in complete control” of the area, and continue to target the “government forces, wherever they are”. The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) announced on January 8 that the army liberated Malkan in Blue Nile from the SPLM-N. A day later, the rebel forces said that it is “a complete lie and media propaganda from the regime to cover up its defeat in South Kordofan and Nuba Mountains in the previous days”.File photo: rebel forces in Nuba Mountains Related: Al Bashir closes door to dialogue with rebels, ‘opens door to Sudan’s revolution’ (10 January 2014) Rebels call Sudan’s claims of victory ‘a lie’ as fighting continues in Malkan, Blue Nile (9 January 2014)