Sudan rebels deny being expelled from South Kordofan

The governor of South Kordofan said the Sudanese army expelled forces of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) from the state. The rebels deny, saying the governor’s announcement is “wishful thinking”.In a report to the Legislative Council of South Kordofan on Thursday, Governor Adam El Faki said the situation in the state is “quiet” after the army and security forces ambushed JEM forces heading to hills west of Dilling.The Governor said JEM forces were driven out from the area of Karamaliya, adding the army is now following them in the direction of Kujuriya to where they allegedly fled.“JEM forces are using citizens of some villages as human shields. These villages are in the area of Kortala, located between Habila and Dulami. Also they stole people’s properties and torched a local market,”El Faki said.Three battalions destroyedJibril Adam Bilal, JEM spokesman strongly denied the claims of the South Kordofan governor saying they are “misleading advertising”. Bilal also denied JEM targets civilians and uses them as human shields.He told Radio Dabanga that the current situation in South Kordofan “confirms that rebel forces destroyed three army battalions”.According to the JEM spokesman, the rebels have also besieged two other battalions between Abu Kashola and Dilling, where they claim to be “in full control of”.Jibril said the coming days will be “full of surprises: the Sudanese people will hear about major rebel victories in South, West and North Kordofan.”File photo: JEM vehicles