KHARTOUM, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes took place between two factions of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector at Blue Nile area on the border with South Sudan, a faction statement said on Sunday.
The SPLM/northern sector has recently fragmented into two factions, one led by Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu in South Kordofan area and the other led by Malik Agar in Blue Nile area.
"Our forces have battled with attacking forces belonging to Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu faction," said the SPLM/northern sector, Malik Agar's faction, in a statement on Sunday.
"The forces of the two factions have engaged in violent clashes since Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sudan local time. the battle is still continuing," the statement said.
Aqar's forces have destroyed a tank and two equipped vehicles belonging to the attacking forces, according to the statement.
"This aggression comes at a time when Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu signed on a joint declaration on cessation of hostilities with the government. It is really unfortunate that he orders his supporters to direct their guns towards their previous companions in a lost battle," noted the statement.
The SPLM/northern sector has recently been suffering from internal divisions which, last July, resulted in the removal of the movement's Chairman Malik Agar and appointment of his former deputy Abdel Aziz al-Hilu in his place.
The two factions have entered into armed confrontations several times before.
