(SomaliNet) Rebels in Sudan's western Darfur region said on Friday they had downed two helicopters and killed 13 Sudanese officers, and denied that 200 members of their movement had died in a government attack. The group said that in fact | "Government forces and Janjaweed militiamen suffered heavy losses and fled towards the town of Kutum, leaving several dead behind them, including 13 officers of different ranks". |
On Thursday the Sudanese army said it had killed 200 rebels in repulsing a massive attack by rebels on Kutum in northern Darfur a day earlier, and said four of its soldiers had been killed and 20 wounded in the action. Friday's rebel statement also said the SLM/A had "shot down two military helicopters, destroyed seven military vehicles and seized 13 cars containing military equipment".
The group said that in making its claims, Khartoum wanted to "disguise the series of defeats suffered recently by government forces and the Janjaweed" proxy militia. The SLM/A said that six of its members had been killed in the Kutum operation and 17 were wounded.