Battles between SAF and rebels leave 81 dead

Adam Saleh Abakar, spokesman for SLM-Minnawi, announced that the clashes between rebel forces and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) on Wednesday left 80 government troops dead in Kolghe, East Jebel Marra, North Darfur. Speaking to Radio Dabanga on Thursday 20 September, Abakar added that one Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) soldier was killed and another got injured. Abkar also said that the SRF captured three SAF soldiers during the battle.The SRF seized 12 Land Cruisers loaded with different weapons and mortars, 12 rifles, 14 Dushkas and one vehicle holding two long-range Hauser missiles, the spokesman added. On their turn, witnesses reported to Radio Dabanga that they saw many bodies and burned trucks in the area where the clashes took place. They also saw the SAF, coming from Khazan Tinjur in three Renault Trucks, picking up dozens of bodies and injured soldiers and transferring them to Tabit on Thursday morning. An onlooker from East Jebel Marra said the Sudanese Air Forces destroyed two army vehicles carrying heavy weapons, which the SRF was trying to seize. The witness pointed out he had never seen such large weapons before, adding that the army vehicles were still on fire on Thursday afternoon. Three children injured Radio Dabanga was informed that three children got injured on Wednesday when an SAF mortar hit their house, located about one kilometer from Kolghe, where the battle took place. Sources said the names of the children are: Mohammad Jacob (two years-old), Mariam Mohammed (three years-old) and Adam Abkar Adam (five years-old). They also confirmed seeing a helicopter and Antonov and MiG airplanes from the government heavily shelling the region on Wednesday. Sources said the shelling continued on Thursday. Fire Witnesses speaking to Radio Dabanga from East Jebel Marra said that aerial bombings and missiles launched by the SAF set several wild areas on fire. The fire also spread to surrounding farms, according to them, and it was not yet extinguished by Thursday afternoon. Local residents who fled the fighting yesterday, are still hiding around nearby mountains and valleys. They claimed to be unable to move as they saw SAF airplanes flying and bombing the area on Thursday and are afraid to be hit. In addition, residents fear that renewed clashes between the government and rebel forces may take place. They told Radio Dabanga their condition is critical as they do not have water or food due to their impossibility to come out of hiding.

Adam Saleh Abakar, spokesman for SLM-Minnawi, announced that the clashes between rebel forces and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) on Wednesday left 80 government troops dead in Kolghe, East Jebel Marra, North Darfur.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga on Thursday 20 September, Abakar added that one Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) soldier was killed and another got injured.

Abkar also said that the SRF captured three SAF soldiers during the battle.

The SRF seized 12 Land Cruisers loaded with different weapons and mortars, 12 rifles, 14 Dushkas and one vehicle holding two long-range Hauser missiles, the spokesman added.

On their turn, witnesses reported to Radio Dabanga that they saw many bodies and burned trucks in the area where the clashes took place.

They also saw the SAF, coming from Khazan Tinjur in three Renault Trucks, picking up dozens of bodies and injured soldiers and transferring them to Tabit on Thursday morning.

An onlooker from East Jebel Marra said the Sudanese Air Forces destroyed two army vehicles carrying heavy weapons, which the SRF was trying to seize. The witness pointed out he had never seen such large weapons before, adding that the army vehicles were still on fire on Thursday afternoon.

Three children injured

Radio Dabanga was informed that three children got injured on Wednesday when an SAF mortar hit their house, located about one kilometer from Kolghe, where the battle took place.

Sources said the names of the children are: Mohammad Jacob (two years-old), Mariam Mohammed (three years-old) and Adam Abkar Adam (five years-old). They also confirmed seeing a helicopter and Antonov and MiG airplanes from the government heavily shelling the region on Wednesday. Sources said the shelling continued on Thursday.

Fire

Witnesses speaking to Radio Dabanga from East Jebel Marra said that aerial bombings and missiles launched by the SAF set several wild areas on fire. The fire also spread to surrounding farms, according to them, and it was not yet extinguished by Thursday afternoon.

Local residents who fled the fighting yesterday, are still hiding around nearby mountains and valleys. They claimed to be unable to move as they saw SAF airplanes flying and bombing the area on Thursday and are afraid to be hit. In addition, residents fear that renewed clashes between the government and rebel forces may take place.

They told Radio Dabanga their condition is critical as they do not have water or food due to their impossibility to come out of hiding.