JEM\'s leader Khalil Ibrahim killed by Sudanese Army

Rebel leader from the Darfur region Khalil Ibrahim Khartoum – Abed Algayom Ashmeag Sudan’s armed forces announced that they killed leader of Justice and Equity Movement (JEM) Khalil Ibrahim in Wed Benda region, on the borders of North Kordofan and North Darfur, Sunday at dawn. The armed forces stated that they were able to cut the road before Khalil’s forces who were on their way to South Sudan, “The armed forces clashed in a direct confrontation with Khalil Ibrahim's rebel forces, and were able to eliminate Khalil Ibrahim,” said Al-Sawarmi Khalid, Sudan's armed forces spokesman to state television, adding that they will continue to protect Sudan and that they now have control over the region.
Spokesman of the Sudanese government, Abdallah Ali Masar, said the move is a victory to the army, through which it sends a message to other rebel movements, who have been called on by the government for dialogue, stressing that JEM is held responsible for the situation in Darfur by repeatedly refusing to negotiate or sign any peace treaty with the government to end the crisis.
It is worth mentioning that JEM forces entered Khartoum May 10, 2008, and lost its most prominent supporter with the death of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and the fall of his regime.
The northern regions of Jebel Marra in North Darfur witnessed heavy military clashes, Thursday and Friday, between factions belonging to JEM and SLA (Sudan Liberation Army), led by Abdel Wahed Nour.
Sudanese Media Center (SMC) cited a close source to Abdel Wahed, saying that the Sonqah region particularly was affected by the clashes in the past two days, caused by JEM’s leaderships’ kidnapping elements from Abdel Wahed’s movement, with the purpose of recruiting them. The source explained “Khalil’s movement tries to dominate the leadership of the revolutionary front and weakening the rest of the factions by recruiting their staff.”
In the same context, SLA vice president Mostafa Tirab attributed the reasons of the clashes to personal gains of the leaders, noting “the prolonged war has led to the loss of these factions of many of their staff. The fights between factions comprising what is called “Alliance of Revolutionary Front” are natural, as JEM tends to act as if it is the only movement on earth.” He added that both factions are in their most vulnerable states.
In a separate context, the National Council for Childhood stressed “the need to take necessary measures to prevent forced recruitment, which children are subject to by armed movements in Darfur.” Secretary General of the council Qamar Habbani said “forced recruitment is the greatest danger facing the children of Darfur, leading to their displacement,” demanding the necessity of joint efforts of relevant authorities to eliminate such phenomenon, which contradicts with national and international laws.
A source close to Menawi’s factions disclosed the failure of an attempt to kidnap children, carried out by elements belonging to the faction in Zamzam camp, North Darfur, attributing the failure of the attempt to the heavy governmental presence in the region. He stressed on the faction’s determination to focus on Shangal Tobai and areas west of the mountain.