January 25, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – Heavy clashes erupted Tuesday between the Sudanese army and Darfur rebel groups in North Darfur amid conflicting reports about the crash of a helicopter gunship.
Nimir Abdel-Rahman spokesperson of the rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLM) led by Abdel wahid Al-Nur said their troops clashed Tuesday with the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in Tabit located at 45 kilometers from El-Fasher, capital of North Darfur state.
He said fighters from Minni Minnawi group joined them and crashed the government troops killing more than one hundred soldiers; he also said they lost 7 rebels.
In Khartoum, SAF spokesperson Khalid Al-Swarmi also said the army killed 17 insurgents among them several rebel commanders. He also said they destroyed and captured some vehicles.
Both sides claim controlling the area.
The UNAMID confirmed the fighting and said concerned by the fresh clashes. The peacekeeping mission said the Sudanese army prevented peacekeepers from entering the area for security reasons.
The rebel spokesperson said civilians fled the area of Tabit to El-Fasher, Tawilla and Shangili Tobayi adding Sudanese government bears the responsibility of the deteriorated humanitarian situation there.
He also said they captured 10 SAF members.
HELICOPTER DOWNED
The rebels said they shot down a helicopter gunship in Shagra but the army on Tuesday evening dismissed the rebel claims saying the plane had a technical failure.
“Sudanese Air Force participated actively in the battles and all the aircrafts returned safe to their bases after the end of the battle. A technical failure forced one helicopter to land near El Fasher airport, and all the crew members are fine”, Al Swarmi said.
However, Nimir said the government had never admitted the fall of one helicopter during the eight years of was here in Darfur.
He also said the government is sending new units to the area and expected the fight would continue on Wednesday.
“New SAF troops are moving from Nyala to Tabit and our fighters are preparing to a new fight “.
Last week the Sudanese army said it clashed with JEM and SLM-Minni Minnawi, but different sources told Sudan Tribune later that the clashes were actually with the SLM fighters from Minnawi and Abdel Wahid factions.
The government said it intends to end the conflict in the restive region through dialogue in association with civil society groups and tribal leaders. It also said IDPs would be returned to their villages and a development programme is adopted for the region.
However, the plan, which is in connection with another mediation led by the former South African President, is not appreciated by the Doha mediators who consider hampering to their comprehensive process which include the rebels, civil society and IDPs.
(ST)