Elmirim (10 Aug.) - Demands an agreement over trade with South Sudan for release
Update (10/11 8:23 GMT+1): One of the militias belonging to the Young Elmirim group detaining the trains contacted Radio Dabanga on Wednesday evening.
He said that several clashes had happened with the government forces throughout the afternoon as a result of the government's decision to withdraw the train towards the city of Al-Mudgled.
He explained that his group destroyed two (2) land cruisers, killed three (3) and injured six (6) soldiers from the government forces, while the Young Elmirim lost three (3) men and count four (4) injured.
He furthermore claims that his group still detains full control of the train, and that the government soldiers fled after the clash.
One woman carrying her 8-month-old baby was killed accidentally during the confrontations. The infant survived.
An armed group took over two trains, one loaded with goods and another carrying passengers, in Elmirim (South Kordofan) on Tuesday.
The carriages were headed to the states of north and west Bahr Elgazal in South Sudan. One of the militias said they represented Elmirim's youth, and that they would keep the trains under their control until the Sudanese government allows for trade between North and South Sudan.
Their conditions for the release of the goods are either a one-billion Sudanese pounds (373,6 Mn USD) payment, or a formal agreement allowing the trade with South Sudan, which had been held back since the army's arrival in Abyei last May.
The views expressed by authors or media organisations other than Mike Hitchen, do not necessarily reflect the views of Mike Hitchen Online. This blog aims to present a wide spectrum of opinion and analysis. The source of every article is prominently displayed and should be considered when reading.
