CAIRO — Rebels have renewed their offensive in eastern Sudan.
A rebel group said two Sudanese military camps were destroyed in the
Kassala province this week. The Eastern Front said the bases were attacked
on April 12 in a joint operation that included the Justice and Equality
Movement and the Sudan Liberation Army.
The Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Army have
been the leading rebel groups in Darfour, Middle East Newsline reported. Neither group confirmed the
announcement by the Eastern Front.
The rebels were said to have captured military bases in Waqar and
Tenniyay near the border with Eritrea. A statement by the Eastern Front did
not cite casualties.
"Our joint forces destroyed the military camp, its ammunition depots,
military hardware and seized several vehicles along with large quantities of
weapons," the statement said. "This action serves notice to the ruling party
that the New Sudan forces remain steadfast in their opposition and
condemnation of exclusionist and marginalizing policies."
The rebels warned that the civil war would spread from Darfour to other
parts of Sudan. The Khartoum regime has acknowledged the fighting in Kassala
and reported the deployment of air and artillery units.
The Eastern Front said seven Sudanese soldiers as well as weapons and
combat vehicles were captured in the attack on Tenniyay. The statement,
reporting heavy government resistance, said the offensive also included SLA
fighters.
The international community has sought to bolster peace-keeping
operations in Sudan. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov send Moscow
would send troops to Sudan by the end of the week.
"The transfer of a Russian aircraft group to Sudan to join the
peace-keeping operation under the auspices of the United Nations will begin
in three days," Ivanov said on Monday.
