Sudanese army and rebels clash in Abata, Central Darfur

The Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) attacked the Sudanese army at about 6am on Friday morning in the area of Abata, 20km north-east of Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur. At least 19 soldiers were either killed or injured, according to an eyewitness. The eyewitness from the area of Abata told Radio Dabanga that the “SRF has killed nine and wounded ten soldiers at least.” They captured two Sudanese army officials and seized two vehicles, he reported. Afterwards, the rebels looted all the weapons, equipment and supplies of the police station in Abata. He pointed out that the SRF had attacked the area with 22 Land Cruisers mounted with machine guns. The witness also disclosed that the authorities transferred the injured soldiers to the Zalingei hospital. The Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW) under the banner of the SRF claims to have captured three Sudanese army offcials: sergeant Mohamed Yusef Abdelaziz, deputy sergeant Ahmed Ali Saeed, and sergeant Mohamed Ibrahim. The SLM-AW lost two of its men during the clash. “The area of Abata is now under our control,” the SLM-AW spokesperson said.  File photo: Troops of the Sudan Liberation Movement (Radio Dabanga)