Sudan: Eritrea amassing troops to bolster looming rebel attack
Monday, 9 Aug 04 - The Eritrean government has dispatched more reinforcement troops towards the Sudanese border and directed them to camp in the region of Kulsa [border point], with an aim of expanding military operations in eastern part the country [Sudan], said Faruk Ahmad Muhammad, governor of Kassala State.
"the Eritrean move indicates a major plan, expected to be carried out by rebel forces, consisting of the Black lions, the Darfur rebels and the Beja group, supported by Afewerki government", added Maj-Gen Faruk.
He pointed out in a statement to SMC [Sudan Media Centre] that the government has obtained information from various sources indicating that there were activities to combine these [opposition] forces. He further said the plan to combine the forces will be perfected by putting them in camps near the Sudanese border.
Mr Faruk disclosed that Eritrean authorities were training, expanding and supplying these forces with military equipment. He said the eastern [opposition] front remained designated with the task of accomplishing the Eritrean military operations against the country.
In this regard, he announced the raising level of preparedness for all security machinery, adding that the [Kassala] State was capable of repelling any aggression against the country, saying "We have put in place the necessary arrangement for any surprise attack".
"Khartoum has consistently accused Asmara of supporting opposition groups bent on overthrowing the government of President Omar el-Beshir, a charge Eritrea vehemently denies" - AFP.
The latest charge comes as Sudan is under strong international pressure over its heavy-handed treatment of unrest in Darfur, which lies in the west of the country neighboring Chad.
Source: Al-Ra'y al-Amm, Khartoum, in Arabic 8 Aug 04, AFP
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