The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has accused the Sudanese government of planting mine fields in North and South Kordofan states, identifying several locations where it says recent mining has taken place.

The announcement came after a mine exploded a truck carrying citizens going from Abu Zabd to Tamjoyah market southwest ​​al-Dabker area on Tuesday, resulting in destruction of the truck and injuries to seven civilians who are receiving treatment at al-Fula hospital.

Eng. al-Rehema Ismail Fedail, JEM secretary for South Kordofan State, stated that the Sudanese government forces after “failing to trace JEM troops have planted mines in open areas where citizens move. Those areas are Um ‘Djamena, southern al-Dabekr, southern Abu Zabad and al-Tamjoyah, in addition to al-Dashol and Abu Janok areas.”

He also added that “It is known that the Sudanese Armed Forces form mine fields wherever they are stationed to protect their troops.”

Fedail claimed that JEM forces know where these mines are buried and they always warn citizens not to move in these areas, pointing out that these mine fields always cause loss of life and livestock, leading to disruption of grazing and farming.

He appealed to citizens of North, West, and Southern Kordofan states to forbid the Sudanese Armed Forces from burying mines in their areas because these mines will cause citizens to abandon their lands. 

Photo credit: Mines Advisory Group (MAG)