Iranian-made drone downed in South Sudan

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JUBA, South Sudan, March 14 (UPI) -- Rebels in Sudan said they shot down an Iranian-made military drone in a disputed area on the border between Sudan and South Sudan.

The rebel Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan people's Liberation Movement-North both issued statements announcing the downing of an Iranian-manufactured craft, the Sudan Tribune reported Wednesday.

Sudan's Armed Forces admitted losing one of its drones in the disputed area of Jau but attributed the downing to a technical failure.

A spokesman for the rebels called for action by the international community.

"It is high time the international community rise up to hold [the] Iranian government responsible for violating international law by constantly meddling in the domestic affairs of the Sudanese people," said Arnu N. Loddi of the Liberation Movement-North.

Loddi said the use of Iranian-made missiles, land mines, drones and heavy military equipment prove Khartoum is continuing its policy of genocide and ethnic cleansing.