Sudan rebels besiege garrison in South Kordofan as Air Force bombs populated areas

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) announced that they killed 22 Sudanese army and militia troops in South Kordofan on Tuesday. They are currently besieging the military garrison of Abri in Habila locality. Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, the spokesman for the SPLM-N, reported to Radio Dabanga today (Thursday), that their forces, under the banner of the Sudan Revolutionary Front, destroyed a military battalion in the area of Mardis, Habila locality, on Tuesday. “The government troops tried to retake Mardis on Sunday. We repelled their multiple attempts, and destroyed the entire convoy two days later. 22 troops were killed, among them a leader of the Popular Defence Forces, Sheibu Obeidallah, and another officer named Khamis Suleiman Idris.” “SPLM-N fighters are currently besieging the military garrison of Abri in Habila locality,” the spokesman added. Bombardments Lodi explained that government forces targeted the areas of Abri, Deri, Tomo, and Mardis with intensive aerial bombardments, and heavy shelling during the past few days. “These areas are quite densely populated. The attacks led to the deaths of at least three children. More than 20,000 people fled their homes and sought refuge in the mountains, where they are trying to survive in harsh humanitarian conditions.” Peace negotiations The AU mediation team on Wednesday evening suspended the stalled peace process aimed at ending the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, as the delegations of the Sudanese government and the SPLM-N once again failed to conclude a framework agreement. File photo: Rebel forces in the Nuba Mountains Related:New displacement in Sudan’s South Kordofan and Blue Nile (1 May 2014) Atrocities against Kordofan civilians as Sudanese army strikes in force (17 April 2014) ‘More troops to South Kordofan’: Sudan security (13 April 2014)