REPORTS OF SKIRMISHES AROUND KORMA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001648 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MOPS KPKO SU SUBJECT: REPORTS OF SKIRMISHES AROUND KORMA REF: A) Khartoum 1637; B) Khartoum 1625; C) Khartoum 1572 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Media reporting appears to have combined two separate and unconfirmed incidents of fighting, mixing a significant element of speculation in an active campaign to discredit SLM/A-Minni Minawi forces. Fighting reportedly broke out between SLM/A- Abdel Wahid and SLM-Minawi forces south of Korma June 30 to July 5, and between SLM/A-Minawi and G-19 forces north of Kutum in the vicinity of Birmaza and Um Sidir on July 9. Neither UNDSS nor AMIS has been able to confirm the accuracy of any of the reports. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) According to the UNDSS Regional Security Officer (RSO),who has completed a preliminary investigation of fighting south of Korma, SLM/A-Wahid forces appear to have attacked several Zaghawa villages 40 km south of Tawila on June 30 and stole 400 head of livestock (reftels A and B). Local SLM/A-Minawi forces retaliated the next day, attacking three villages (Dadi, Kiera, and Tungar) and retrieving their livestock plus some extra. During his investigation, UNDSS RSO found three grave sites in Dadi with a reported seven bodies and one grave site with three bodies in Kiera. His investigation indicated that there was limited fighting based on physical evidence such as shell casings and blood trails. He also stated that representatives from both belligerents admitted to the fighting and the sequence of events. SLM/A-Wahid forces indicated they have since withdrawn all of their forces to the south on the outskirts of East Jebel Marra. However, there are still reports of sporadic gunfire and small bands of SLM/A-Minawi fighters in the vicinity of the three villages as well as on the outskirts of Korma. This fighting is the most likely cause of the increased IDP flow to the Zam Zam IDP camp, reportedly ranging from 1000 to 3000 new IDPs. There were no reports of SAF or janjaweed elements involved in the fighting. ¶3. (SBU) Meanwhile, skirmishing allegedly instigated by SLM/A-Minawi forces in UM Sidir and Baashim/Tina against G-19 forces north of Korma broke out July 9. The G-19 forces reportedly included elements of the National Redemption Front (NRF) attack on Hamrat al Sheik in Kordafan on July 3 (reftel C). On July 10, SLM/A-Minawi forces attacked the main body of NRF/G-19 forces on the outskirts of Birmaza. G-19 Commander Adam Ali Shogar reported the attack to UNDSS and claimed there was a white helicopter with AMIS stenciled on the bottom of the aircraft flying over the battle and landing in the rear of the SLM-M forces. He also stated that there was a white Antonov aircraft circling above the fighting. There was no report of close air support or any hostile actions by either aircraft. The fighting continued through the afternoon, but by July 11 SLM/A-Minawi forces had either reportedly withdrawn or were driven out of Birmaza. The G-19 Commander Shogar claimed 8 of his forces KIA, 9 WIA, and 24 civilians killed. There is no independent verification of these figures. An SLM/A-Minawi commander confirmed that an Antonov aircraft was in the vicinity of the fighting. ¶4. (SBU) The UNDSS RSO reported that G-19 Commander Shogar originally made no claims of janjaweed involvement in the July 9-10 attack. However, following a similar claim made from Europe by recently dismissed SLM spokesman Esam Edin El-Haj, Shogar has since stated that his force had been attacked by janjaweed forces. The UNDSS RSO felt that this later claim was part of an active campaign to discredit Minawi and his forces by elements of the non-signatories. He planned to return to the vicinity of Korma on July 12 to complete his investigation of the first incident and begin an investigation of the fighting further north. HUME