Sudanese army spokesperson announced Saturday that a military aircraft crashed at al-Obeid airport in North Kordofan state killing its five crew.

Brigadier General Ahmad Khalifa Ahmad al-Shami said in a press statement extended to Radio Tamazuj that the aircraft An-26 crashed due to a technical problem.

Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, spokesperson for the SPLA-North rebels, claimed his soldiers caused the technical problem by shelling the aircraft.

Radio Tamazuj could not independently verify Arnu's statement and Sudan Armed Forces has made no comment on the claim.

Arnu said the plane was shelling and destroying civilians and their properties in their areas in South Kordofan.   

Separately, Arnu announced Saturday that their side lost six soldiers and 18 were wounded in a battle with Sudan’s Armed Force in South Kordofan.

He said they caused the Sudanese army many casualties as well during the recent fighting.

File photo