Sudan troops advance to disputed town
- 12 years ago
Sudan's army said it was advancing to the outskirts of a disputed town to oust South Sudanese forces from an oil-producing area.
South Sudan had occupied the oil fields of Heglig near the border on Tuesday, in a move that was denounced by neighbouring countries.
Pumping out 115,000 barrels a day, Heglig is vital to Sudan's oil production.
Sudan vowed to strike if the South's army did not withdraw. The South said it would only stand down if the UN intervened.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SUDAN'S ARMY SPOKESPERSON, AL-SUWARMI KHALID SAYING:
"The armed forces are continuously advancing toward Heglig and we confirm that we are now at its borders."
Al-Suwarmi could not verify whether the oil fields had been destroyed.
Recent clashes between Sudan and South Sudan have raised fears of a full-blown conflict, less than a year after the South had formed its own state.
The international community is calling for a stop to the fighting.
But disagreements over oil payments, border positions, how to divide the national debt, and the status of citizens' in each other's territory are not bringing the two sides any closer.
Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.
South Sudan had occupied the oil fields of Heglig near the border on Tuesday, in a move that was denounced by neighbouring countries.
Pumping out 115,000 barrels a day, Heglig is vital to Sudan's oil production.
Sudan vowed to strike if the South's army did not withdraw. The South said it would only stand down if the UN intervened.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SUDAN'S ARMY SPOKESPERSON, AL-SUWARMI KHALID SAYING:
"The armed forces are continuously advancing toward Heglig and we confirm that we are now at its borders."
Al-Suwarmi could not verify whether the oil fields had been destroyed.
Recent clashes between Sudan and South Sudan have raised fears of a full-blown conflict, less than a year after the South had formed its own state.
The international community is calling for a stop to the fighting.
But disagreements over oil payments, border positions, how to divide the national debt, and the status of citizens' in each other's territory are not bringing the two sides any closer.
Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.