A rebel group on Thursday said it killed more than 50 Sudanese soldiers during battles in Sudan’s South Kordofan State which has been witnessing armed clashes for more than one year.
“The forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) have managed to achieve a big victory over forces and Arab militias of the National Congress Party (NCP) at Um Haitan village in Dalamy locality in South Kordofan State in battles that continued since Saturday until today,” said Arno Taloudy, spokesman for SPLA/ northern sector, in a statement.
“More than 50 soldiers of the NCP forces were killed and many others injured,” the statement said, in reference to Sudan’s ruling party, noting that two vehicles were destroyed and a great number of weapons and ammunition were seized.
A total of seven members of the SPLA/northern sector were killed and five were injured, according to the statement.
The Sudanese army could not be contacted immediately to comment on the rebels’ claims.
South Kordofan State has been witnessing armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the SPLA rebels since June 2011.
Sudan is accusing South Sudan of supporting the rebels of the SPLA/northern sector which is fighting the Sudanese army at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas.
Sudan refuses to negotiate with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/northern sector until after it breaks its assumed connection with South Sudan, while South Sudan government denies any relationship with the rebel movement in Sudan.
In September, Sudan and South Sudan signed a cooperation agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, including an item banning both countries from supporting the armed rebel groups in the other country.
