Sudanese army liberates rebel stronghold in South Kordofan 

Sudanese soldiers celebrate retaking the oil-rich Heglig region in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 20, 2012. The Sudanese army on March 31, 2016 said it has gained control of Um Sirdiba town. PHOTO | XINHUA

What you need to know:

  • The army liberated al-Mushtaraka area and inflicted heavy loss of lives and equipment among the enemy.
  • Sudanese army on Tuesday also repulsed a desperate attempt by the rebels to restore Al Karkaraia area which was liberated on Monday.

KHARTOUM, Thursday

The Sudanese army on Thursday said it has gained control of Um Sirdiba town, a stronghold of the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector in South Kordofan State.

“The army is continuing its advancement towards its planned targets at all axes. It is maintaining the initiative and closing on the rebels,” Ahmed Khalifa Al-Shami, Sudanese army spokesman, said in a statement.

‘‘The army has managed to liberate Um Sirdiba town, the main stronghold of the rebels at Kadogli sector and one of their important command centers,” he noted.

HEAVY LOSS OF LIVES

He said the army also liberated al-Mushtaraka area and inflicted heavy loss of lives and equipment among the enemy that are currently being listed.

Al-Shami further said the Sudanese army on Tuesday also repulsed a desperate attempt by the rebels to restore Al Karkaraia area which was liberated on Monday, saying “we have defeated them, where 55 rebels were killed and scores others injured.”

On Monday, the Sudanese army announced the liberation of five strategic areas in South Kordofan after attacking the rebels of the SPLM/northern sector.