Kartala, November 27 (Darfur24)
Fierce battles erupted in the Kartala area of South Kordofan State on Wednesday and Thursday between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), resulting in civilian deaths and widespread damage.
Sources told Darfur24 that the clashes erupted after reinforcements arrived for an SPLM-N force stationed on a western mountain overlooking Kartala, prompting confrontation between the two sides.
Two civilians, Hajar Koko, who worked in cargo transport, and a young man, Muhammad Obeid, were killed in the exchange of fire, according to the sources.
Witnesses said the Sudanese Armed Forces’ 53rd Infantry Brigade, part of the 14th Infantry Division in Kadugli, launched an attack on Wednesday on SPLM-N positions in Jabal Watnaq west of Kartala. The mountain is traditionally considered within the social sphere of residents aligned with the movement, with an informal understanding that SPLM-N forces remain there to protect the area.
Sources added that recent SPLM-N movements alarmed the army, which encircled the mountain despite mediation attempts by local administrations to avoid a battle. Fighting broke out at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday and continued into the evening. Clashes resumed Thursday morning following the arrival of more than 30 SPLM-N military vehicles from Tanqali, southwest of Kartala.
The confrontations caused the burning of several shops in Kartala market and damage to citizens’ homes, including the home of Abu Bakr Madi. An agricultural tractor belonging to a resident was also destroyed.
In a statement on Wednesday, the SPLM-N accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of launching a large-scale attack from three directions on its positions in Hebeila County. The movement said its forces fought government troops from morning until sunset on November 26 and repelled the attack.