SLM-Unity claims killing government militias in N. Darfur battle

Several pro-government militiamen died and others were wounded on Thursday morning in a battle against the Sudan Liberation Movement-Unity (SLM-Unity) in Wadi Zogo, north of Mellit in North Darfur, the rebels say. In addition, one member of the SLM-Unity was killed and two others were wounded, according to Yasser Bahr, the movement’s secretary of military affairs and security. He told Radio Dabanga the militiamen, who were driving seven Land Cruisers, had one of their vehicles destroyed by the rebels. After the clashes, the government militia fled in the direction of Damrat Al-Quba, north of Kutum, with the 800 cows they had looted. Damrat Al-Quba is reported to be a pro-government militia stronghold, sources say. Radio Dabanga could not contact the Sudanese army for comments and it was not able to independently verify the rebels’ claims.Photo: A member of the coalition of rebel forces in East Jebel Marra, 18 March 2011 (Albert Gonzalez Farran/ UNAMID)

Several pro-government militiamen died and others were wounded on Thursday morning in a battle against the Sudan Liberation Movement-Unity (SLM-Unity) in Wadi Zogo, north of Mellit in North Darfur, the rebels say.

In addition, one member of the SLM-Unity was killed and two others were wounded, according to Yasser Bahr, the movement’s secretary of military affairs and security.

He told Radio Dabanga the militiamen, who were driving seven Land Cruisers, had one of their vehicles destroyed by the rebels.

After the clashes, the government militia fled in the direction of Damrat Al-Quba, north of Kutum, with the 800 cows they had looted.

Damrat Al-Quba is reported to be a pro-government militia stronghold, sources say.

Radio Dabanga could not contact the Sudanese army for comments and it was not able to independently verify the rebels’ claims.

Photo: A member of the coalition of rebel forces in East Jebel Marra, 18 March 2011 (Albert Gonzalez Farran/ UNAMID)