Sudan denies rebel-claimed attack on oilfields
KHARTOUM, Aug 8 (AFP) -- The Sudanese government army denied Wednesday rebel claims that its units attacked oilfields and destroyed oil production installations at Higlieg town in southern Unity State, official media reported Wednesday.
SUNA news agency and Omdurman Radio quoted army spokesman General Mohamed Beshir Suleiman dismissing as an "unfulfilled dream" a claim to that affect by the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), which said the attacks took place on Sunday.
"The oilfields were not attacked, and no oil installations were destroyed in Higlieg," General Suleiman said, adding that oil operations are going on normally and the airport is operating "as usual."
Flights between Higlieg and Khartoum and the pumping of the crude to the Khartoum refinery have not been halted, said Suleiman, saying anyone was welcome to visit to Gaily refinery to see proof of that.
He also said anybody could go to Higlieg to find that oil companies are operating normally.
The SPLA statement was "an effort to raise the morale of the outlaws after the defeat they were inflicted near Mayom" in Unity State, said the spokesman, adding that a group of SPLA men on Sunday attempted to attack west of Mayom and were repulsed by government troops.
The rebels have not reached Higlieg area, which "is fully secure", said General Suleiman.
The SPLA on Tuesday claimed a landmark raid on oilfields in central Sudan, inflicting "heavy casualties," and warned foreign oil firms to pull out of the region.
If confirmed, it would be the first time in the 18-year-civil war against Khartoum that the SPLA has succeeded in attacking the oilfields, which started pumping oil for export in 1999.
Rebel leader John Garang warned in June that foreign oil firms in Sudan were "legitimate targets" for attack and vowed that SPLA forces would one day seize the oil fields. |
