A fierce battle between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan Revolutionary Forces (SRF) of Abdel Wahid has left tens of combatants killed in West Jebel Marra area, Central Darfur, since it began on Sunday, 23 December.<\/p>\n
On Monday, the SRF claimed it had captured the major SAF base in the central town of Golo, leaving the government with only two strongholds in Jebel Marra, namely Derbat and Rokero.<\/p>\n
On the same day, local inhabitants witnessed severe bombings by the SAF and large troop movements from the government in the direction of Golo, Radio Dabanga was informed.<\/p>\n
According to the SRF the government lost over 90 people, while the rebels reported at least seven fatal casualties and 10 wounded combatants.<\/p>\n
The Sudanese army did not yet confirm the attack. However, the rebel movement\u2019s spokesman Mustapha Tambour said the SRF-faction of Abdel Wahid destroyed the entire government base and captured 15 pick up trucks and weapons. Some of the vehicles are equipped with mounted Dushka guns, a type of heavy machine gun.<\/p>\n
Tambour also said it captured four SAF soldiers and provided their names to Radio Dabanga.<\/p>\n
People in the area told Radio Dabanga that during the Monday clashes many SAF forces moved on the road to Zalingei in the direction of Golo. They saw Antonov airplanes circling the area and heard at least eight rounds of bombardments.<\/p>\n
The SRF spokesman told Radio Dabanga that in the nearby market village in the Wissi Mountains, gunmen killed two citizens, raped two women started looting the village.<\/p>\n
However, SRF-Abdel Wahid troops chased away the gunmen when they moved to the market place. The perpetrators allegedly escaped to a base of the Central Police Forces (Abu Tira) in the village of Thur on the road from Nyala to Zalingei, near Nertiti.<\/p>\n
Tambour said the rebels attacked the base and claimed that at least seven soldiers were killed, adding that the government forces have fled the area. He acknowledged that three of its soldiers were also killed during the fighting.<\/p>\n
The road from Nyala to Zalingei is crucial for the transport towards West Darfur and its capital, El-Geneina. Despite the events, eyewitnesses told Radio Dabanga that the road is not blocked, buses are still moving with passengers and many government troops are moving along it towards Golo.<\/p>\n
Radio Dabanga file photo<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n