March 28, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) claimed to have captured the strategic town of Habeela in South Kordofan state, but the government army said they repelled the attack.

A SPLA-N rebel soldier, in South Kordofan (AFP)

SPLM-N spokesperson, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune that their forces "liberated Habeela garrison, which lies 30 km south east of Dilling district in South Kordofan".

Lodi said the government army suffered heavy losses in personnel and equipments, pointing that 54 soldiers were killed and 5 military vehicles were seized besides large quantities of weaponry and ammunition.

The statement pointed that Habeela is considered the headquarters of the mechanized farming schemes, describing it as a shining example for the unjust land-grabbing policies adopted by the various ruling elites in Khartoum.

“More than two million hectares were taken away from the citizens of the area and sold to land [mafia] from outside the region”, the SPLM-N said.

However, the Sudanese army spokesperson, Colonel al-Sawarmi Khaled Sa’ad told the official news agency SUNA that the SPLM-N attacked the town of Habeela, and destroyed civilian homes, facilities and torched the commercial market.

Sa’ad stressed the army sent military reinforcement to the garrison and managed to extend its control over the town, pointing the government troops are pursuing the rebels fleeing the area.

Sudan Tribune not been able to independently verify the situation in the area.

According to the UN, an estimated 23,600 people fled their homes in March due to clashes between the Sudanese army and SPLM-N.

The governor of South Kordofan state, Adam Al-Faki, had earlier revealed that 5000 IDP’s from Al-Rahmania area arrived in Abu Jubaiha, pointing that 40 people were killed and 45 others injured when SPLM-N attacked Kalougi and Rahmania.

Also the UNOCHA which coordinates the humanitarian activities in the government controlled areas in the state, reported that between the 9 and 18 March around 23,600 people fled their villages following the recent fighting between the government forces and the SPLM-N fighters and sought refuge in El Abassiya, Abu Jubaiha and Rashad towns.

South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile state have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army and its allied militia since 2011.

(ST)