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Sudanese Rebels Fight for Control of Capital

Sudan says claims victory in rare Khartoum battle

By Erin Mendell,  Newser User

Posted May 10, 2008 2:48 PM CDT

(Newser) – Darfur rebels battled Sudanese soldiers today in a rare bid for control of Sudan's capital, Reuters reports. The military later claimed victory and said just a few militants had reached Khartoum. "Thank God this attempt has been completely defeated," a government spokesman said.

But a rebel said earlier that insurgents were close to toppling President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. "We are now trying to control Khartoum. God willing we will take power, it's just a matter of time," one senior commander said. Today’s advance marked the closest the rebels have come to seizing the capital city.

In A 2007 image released by the African Union Mission in Sudan injured Sudanese civilians lie on the floor of a waiting AMIS helicopter at Muhajeria military base.
In A 2007 image released by the African Union Mission in Sudan injured Sudanese civilians lie on the floor of a waiting AMIS helicopter at Muhajeria military base.   (AP Photo/AMIS, Stuart Price, HO)
Chinese U.N. peacekeepers build fortifications on a new U.N. base in Darfur, Sudan, on Tuesday, Jan.  29, 2008.
Chinese U.N. peacekeepers build fortifications on a new U.N. base in Darfur, Sudan, on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alfred de Montesquiou)
Darfur rebels are seen in their northern desert stronghold of Bir Maza in Sudan, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007.
Darfur rebels are seen in their northern desert stronghold of Bir Maza in Sudan, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007.   (AP Photo/Alfred de Montesquiou)
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