Wounded rebels retreat to South Sudan
2013-02-18 20:57
Khartoum - Rebels wounded during fresh fighting in
Sudan's Blue Nile state have retreated to South Sudan, the army said on Monday,
after Washington warned of a dangerous increase in tensions on the un-demarcated
border.
The army statement followed claims by rebels of the Sudan
People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) that a government offensive in Blue
Nile had forced thousands to flee.
Sudan's army spokesperson, quoted by the official Suna
news agency, said the army had "liberated" an area in south-western
Blue Nile, killing and wounding dozens of insurgents.
"Those injured have been taken to South Sudan,"
said the spokesperson, Sawarmi Khaled Saad.
"The rebels withdrew towards South Sudan."
Saad added that "a number" of government troops
were killed and wounded, but he gave no figures.
The US on Friday said it was "deeply concerned"
by reports of clashes between Sudan and South Sudan in disputed border areas
between Blue Nile and South Sudan's Upper Nile state.
These included "reports of Sudanese helicopters
crossing into South Sudan and the artillery bombardment by Sudanese armed
forces of South Sudanese troops," the American embassy in Khartoum said.
- SAPA
