JEM CLASHES WITH SLM/MM IN MUHAJIRIYA, BUT SCALE OF

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000051

DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON, AF/SPG, AF/C
NSC FOR PITTMAN AND HUDSON
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU
SUBJECT: JEM CLASHES WITH SLM/MM IN MUHAJIRIYA, BUT SCALE OF
FIGHTING IS UNKNOWN

REF A) KHARTOUM 48
B) KHARTOUM 13


1. (SBU) Multiple rebel and UN sources confirmed the fighting
between JEM and SLM/Minnawi forces in the Minnawi stronghold of
Muhajiriya the morning of January 15 (Ref A),but details remain
scarce and the scope of the fighting remains in question. According
to UN sources, clashes apparently started when a group of JEM
vehicles moved into a Minnawi-held area, possibly with the intent of
poaching Minnawi fighters for its own ranks. UNAMID has not yet
entered Muhajiriya and was unable to confirm details of the
fighting, though one UN source stated that the clashes resulted in
only four deaths and had subsided by mid-morning. The fighting was
preceded by SAF aerial bombing of rebel positions (apparently JEM)
in South Darfur on January 13. End Summary.


2. (SBU) On January 15 poloff spoke with an officer in UNAMID's
Joint Mission Analysis Center (JMAC). He stated that the fighting
was triggered by a group of thirteen JEM vehicles led by Minnawi
defector Bakhit Karima entering the Muhajiriya area with the intent
of recruiting Minnawi fighters into JEM's ranks. Four people were
reportedly killed in the clashes, he said. The fighting subsided
around 10:15 AM. He noted that UNAMID has yet to enter Muhajiriya to
confirm the details.


3. (SBU) Poloff also spoke with a UNDSS Security Officer, who stated
he heard the clashes commenced when an uneasy truce between SLM/MM
and the JEM fighters in Muhajiriya went awry. JEM fighters had moved
into the area against the wishes of SLM/Minnawi, but discussions
between the two groups were ongoing to allow JEM a safe passage
provided that certain conditions were met, he said. One of these
conditions was that JEM stay out certain areas, he said. JEM forces
failed to meet this condition when they entered village of Khataba,
south of Muhajiriya town, to restock on supplies. Upon violation of
the agreement, clashes ensued. He had no information as to the scope
of the fighting but had no news that it had subsided.


4. (SBU) Multiple rebel sources confirmed fighting between JEM and
Minnawi troops in the Muhajiriya area. SLA/Unity's Abubakar Kado
affirmed that fighting was taking place and that the forces of Bahar
Abu Gharda of JEM/Collective Leadership (URF) were fighting
alongside Minnawi. Suliman Marjan, a Maidob commander affiliated
with Abdul Wahid, also asserted that clashes were taking place
between JEM and Minnawi forces. (Note: Marjan had previously told
emboff on January 14 that JEM forces were concentrating in the area
of Kalajo, approximately 25 km west of Muhajiriya town. He stated
that JEM's presence there was creating tensions with Minnawi and
threatening the peace there. End Note.)


5. (SBU) Marjan also told emboff that seven Maidob former fighters
who escaped the JEM encampment in Um Jaras, Chad following clashes
with JEM Zaghawa there had arrived in his area of control after
walking for 13 days (Ref B). (Note: Marjan himself is Maidob. End
note.) He said the Maidob described Um Jaras as "Guantanamo" because
Khalil use to imprison anyone who protested against his orders. They
said that twenty senior Maidob commanders were killed by Khalil and
that many junior military ranks are still under detention.


6. (SBU) Comment: Details of the fighting between JEM and Minnawi
have yet to be fully verified on site by UNAMID, and reliable
information remains notoriously hard to come by. It is exacerbated
by the sometimes circular flow of information amongst the rebels,
UN, media and the diplomatic community. Post will report more as
additional information becomes available. End comment.

FERNANDEZ