In Pictures

Sudan’s ongoing war and suffering

Intensified battles between rebels and government forces in South Kordofan state wreak havoc on civilian life.

An SPLA-North rebel still wearing his uniform from the liberation struggle when a united SPLA movement fought for independence from greater Sudan.

Angartu, Sudan – During the biggest escalation in hostilities since the start of the war in 2011, Sudanese government forces (SAF) came within 20km of the rebel stronghold Kauda in Sudan’s South Kordofan state.

SAF shelled the front line town of Angartu and rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North (SPLA-North) evacuated all civilians from the area. About 4,000 people were relocated to safer rebel-held territory in the bush closer to Kauda.

A nine-day battle in early January ensued, in which SAF forces captured Angartu and were heading for Kauda, until SPLA-North troops managed to push them back.

According to rebel commander Aburass Albino Kuku, his group of 400 men outfought an SAF force of up to 2,000 soldiers.

The town of Angartu, although back under rebel control, lies empty and destroyed. Civilians cannot return and instead are camped in the bush with limited access to shelter, food and water.

The government from the capital Khartoum has been waging war in these hills for three years against the Nuba opposition group SPLA-North, which controls much of this territory.

The Sudanese government forbids access for journalists and international relief organisations and restricts all humanitarian aid.

The front line town of Angartu is empty and destroyed. Sudan's armed forces captured the town in early January and a nine-day battle ensued in which SPLA-North managed to retake Angartu. It remains under SPLA-N control but civilians cannot return.

SPLA-North claim they fought back 3,000 SAF troops with their 400 men in a nine-day battle. They say they suffered nine casualties but killed more than 300 soldiers.

Sabah, whose full name means 'good morning' in Arabic, fought in the nine-day battle to retake Angartu from SAF forces. He has a wife and son but said he is prepared to die defending Nuba and its people.

Unspent ammunition scatters the battlefield in Angartu town. Artillery rounds and unexploded bombs dropped by SAF were collected by SPLA-North once it retook the area.

The civilian population of Angartu was evacuated by SPLA-North in early January when SAF advanced on the town and started shelling.

About 1,500 civilians are currently hiding in the bush without proper shelter, food or water. Their town is destroyed and it is too dangerous to return. Aid groups have provided some non-food items to the displaced, but it is not enough.

Mother of six, Saima Abud Ismael left her home in Angartu when SAF government forces started shelling in January. 'We ran with nothing and we are now camping in the bush, and the Antonov is still bombing,' she said.

SPLA-North rebels with their weapons and home-sewn badges on their caps in the front line town of Angartu, South Kordofan state.

Rebel commander Aburas Albino Kuku with a vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft gun that the SPLA-North seized from SAF forces during the battle for Angartu.

An SPLA-North rebel carries a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Rebel commander Aburas Albino Kuku said 'fighting renewed this year when SAF advanced on our capital Kauda. SAF started the fighting again because of elections in Sudan this year'.

SPLA-North captured an armoured personnel carrier (APC) from SAF troops during the nine-day battle for Angartu in early January.