The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) claim that they have taken control of the Jebel Adaiir mountain area in northern South Kordofan state, “captured four government soldiers, and eight vehicles after dispersing a government convoy” on Wednesday.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) deny this, claiming to have “inflicted heavy losses in lives and equipment on the attacking rebels”.

JEM spokesman Jibril Adam Bilal claims that the movement’s forces have taken control of Jebel Adaiir, near to Abu Karshola, after they “dispersed an SAF convoy of 84 vehicles, including two tanks”.

Bilal says that during the battle, his forces “captured four SAF soldiers, six Land Cruisers, and two light trucks mounted with guns and carrying food and supplies”.

On the other hand, SAF spokesman Colonel Al Sawarmi Khalid Saad confirms that the SAF clashed with rebel forces but he paints a different picture.

Col. Saad told the Sudan News Agency that “the remnants of the so-called Sudan Revolutionary Front on Wednesday attacked the village of Al Sidra in North Kordofan state, for the purpose of looting the property of citizens”. Al Sidra is close to the border with South Kordofan.

“SAF units in the area clashed with them and repulsed their aggression.” Col. Saad asserts that the army “inflicted heavy losses in lives and equipment on the attacking rebels and forced them to flee.” He added that five SAF soldiers “were martyred in the battle”, claiming that SAF troops are chasing remnants of the rebels.

Reporting by Radio Dabanga

File photo: JEM fighters in Darfur (Stuart Price/UN)