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Sudan using Iraqi pilots for war in South

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, April 12, 2001

CAIRO — Sudanese President Omar Bashir is said to be employing Iraqi military planes and pilots in the civil war in the south.

The opposition Sudanese People's Liberation Army said the Bashir regime has acquired six Iraqi transport jets and pilots for sorties against rebels in southern and eastern Sudan. The SPLA has identified the planes as the Soviet-built Antonov.

In a statement, the SPLA said the pilot of the plane that crashed last week in southeastern Sudan was an Iraqi national. The regime in Khartoum has refused to identify the pilot in the crash that killed 14 senior Sudanese officers, including the deputy defense minister.

Bashir obtained Iraqi planes and pilots at the end of last year, the SPLA said. This, months after the regime dismissed up to 100 Sudanese officers, including pilots in a purge of the military.

Western diplomatic sources said Sudan has used numerous mercenaries to fight the regime's war against the rebels in the oil-rich regions in the east and south. They said these include Chinese trainers who have helped organize pro-government militias in the areas.

The SPLA also said Iraq and Sudan are cooperation in development and production of weapons, including those of mass destruction. "This especially concerns cooperation between the regimes in Baghdad and Khartoum in the development of Sudanese military industries, including chemical weapons," the SPLA statement said.

In Khartoum, authorities have increased security in the capital amid clashes between police and Christians. The clashes were sparked by the Islamic regime's ban of Easter celebrations planned by Christian churches.

Thursday, April 12, 2001


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