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Over 100 soldiers killed in Sudan govt, rebel clashes
Fresh clashes have been erupted between Sudanese government and rebels on Monday in South Kordofan with more than 100 soldiers reportedly killed.
Both sides claimed control of the area of El Atmor, one of the stronghold rebels military base in the region.
The area had been captured by the Sudanese army last Saturday. (READ: Sudanese army captures strategic rebel base in South Kordofan)
Rebels allied to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)-North announced the recapture its strategic base on Monday.
SPLM spokesman Arno Lodi said in statement on Africa Review on Monday that their forces were heading Kadugli, the capital city of the State, after controlling El Atmor and defeating government forces.
Lodi also claimed that government troops caused them huge losses.
“From June 8, 2014, SPLA-N forces in South Kordofan/Nuba mountain State, attacked NCP forces and its militias positions inside Kadugli city and in El Atmur area east Kadugli in retaliation to their occupation.
“SPLA-N artillery unit shelled NCP forces artillery HQs and other military and militias position inside Kadugli, and heavily shelled El Atmur in which 3 tanks and 21 vehicles were destroyed and men killed,” he said.
However, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) spokesman Alswarmy Khalid Saad dismissed the statement, claiming that his forces killed over 100 rebels.
The spokesman told Africa Review: “Around 110 rebels have been killed in the battle, confirming that the rebel fighters have been expelled from the area.”
Rebels admitted to losing control of South Kordofan last Saturday and said they have withdrawn to surrounding areas.
It was the first time the Sudanese forces were reaching these areas since war erupted between the government and the rebels two years ago.
Kauda is historically a stronghold of the SPLM-N and has never fallen into government hands since the beginning of the war.
Last week, Sudan’s Defence minister Abdul Rahim Mohamed Hussain spoke of the beginning of the “final phase” of operations to wipe out rebellion in the South Kordofan State.
Khartoum has also announced a large-scale military campaign dubbed the “decisive summer season” to eradicate insurgent activity in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur regions.
Credit: Daily Nation