CAIRO: The wreckage of an Iranian 3-1-R031 reconnaissance drone used by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) was shot down by SPLA in Jau, Unity State March 13, 2012. The craft arrived in South Sudan's capital, Juba yesterday. The drone carries the markings of the SAF. Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) spokesperson, Col. Philip Aguer Panyang, displayed the drone wreckage and said that the aircraft has been identified as Iranian-made. Philip said the drone was to monitor, spy and collect military information in Jau about the SPLA to provide Khartoum with troop movements. “This is adding to the series of aggressions conducted by the Khartoum regime against the people of the Republic of South Sudan,” Philip said adding that the SPLA reminds Khartoum that such a behavior will never pass unpunished. Additionally, he said that South Sudan is disinterested in another war with Khartoum, since war is never the good option for the country, but the SPLA forces are ready to defend its territory when provoked. Several days ago the drone, which was in Jau airspace, was brought down by the SPLA based in Jau, Unity State. Philip interpreted the drone's presence as further evidence that Khartoum was preparing for another invasion of South Sudan. South Sudan gained independence in July of 2011, and is considered one of the most underdeveloped nations in the world, due to a half-century of brutal civil wars that struck the region since the end of colonial rule. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/xJPVN Tags: Drone, Juba, SPLA, Sudan Air Force Section: Latest News, Sudan
