Rebels claim to have shot down Sudanese military plane

Rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA)/northern sector on Monday said they shot down a Sudanese army plane at South Kordofan State on Sudan-South Sudan border.

"The forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Army have shot down an Antonov plane belonging to the Sudanese air force on Dec. 11," said the SPLA/northern sector in a statement.

"The plane crashed at Um Kiraisha area of Al-Sunoot Locality in South Kordofan State. The plane was shot down by anti-aircraft guns while it was bombarding Um Dorain locality," noted the statement.

It added that the SPLA forces have affirmed that the plane crashed at areas controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector, pointing out that photos and details of the plane would be published soon.

No comment could immediately be obtained from the Sudanese army on the rebels' claims.

South Kordofan has been witnessing clashes between the Sudanese army and the SPLM/SPLA rebels since June 2011.

Sudan is accusing South Sudan of supporting the rebel group, which is fighting the Sudanese army in South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas.

Sudan refuses to negotiate with the SPLM/northern sector until after breaking the links with South Sudan, while the South Sudanese government denies having any connections with the rebel movement in Sudan.

On Sept. 27, Sudan and South Sudan signed a cooperation agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, including an item banning both countries from supporting the armed rebel groups in the other country.


Source: News - 18 December 2012

Photo: The Sudanese Air Force MiG-29 Fulcrum Fighter Aircraft (Photo by Melting Tarmac Images / airliners.net)


(18.12.2012)