Sudan forces, SLA factions in fierce fighting south of Fasher
Heavy fighting erupted Monday evening and continued through Tuesday night between the Sudanese troops and Darfur rebels. Government troops and warplanes engaged the Sudan Liberation Movement factions of Abdel Wahid Al Nur, Minni Minawi and Karbino in the area of Tabit and Tutumarre, south of El Fasher.
Heavy fighting erupted Monday evening and continued through Tuesday night between the Sudanese troops and Darfur rebels. Government troops and warplanes engaged the Sudan Liberation Movement factions of Abdel Wahid Al Nur, Minni Minawi and Karbino in the area of Tabit and Tutumarre, south of El Fasher. The fighting led to the burning of the two villages by government forces and the displacement of civilians in the region, which is located approximately 45km south of El Fasher, North Darfur.
The United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) confirmed “reports of intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan Liberation Army – Minni Minnawi movements in Tabit,” but had no further information because its peacekeepers were denied from entering the area by Sudan Armed Forces officers who were “invoking security concerns.” The Mission said there were no indications whether other factions were involved other than Minawi’s, but the deputy commanding general of the Abdel Wahid faction told Radio Dabanga that his forces were engaged.
Rebel commander Mohamed Adam Abdulsalam Al Mashir said the government forces were composed of ground and air troops backed by two helicopters and warplanes including two MiGs and two Antonovs. He said that they destroyed an entire government convoy and were still engaged with another one. Speaking from the field, he said they took a number of prisoners and shot down a military aircraft near El Fasher.
Residents in the area south of El Fasher fled from Tabit and surrounding villages yesterday, heading towards El Fasher, Shangil Tobaya and plains and wadis. They were afraid of aerial bombardment from Antonovs and MiGs as well as various weapons and cannons used by infantry in heavy fighting in the affected area.
Witnesses near El Fasher airport report continual take-off and landing operations throughout the day yesterday by Antonov and MiG warplanes. Civil air operations, including those of UNAMID, were suspended.
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