Informed sources claimed yesterday that the administration of the Popular Defence Force (PDF) distributed more than 1500 rifles to citizens in Umm Rawaba last weekend, allegedly to encourage them to fight the umbrella rebel group, Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), which is currently fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in South Kordofan state.

The source also claimed that the move was strongly condemned by local citizens who questioned why people with no military experience were being encouraged to engage in conflict.

Radio Tamazuj was unable to reach the administration of the PDF to confirm this news.