Sudan calls for intifada volunteers

Support for the Palestinians in Sudan is strong

Military authorities in Sudan have issued a nationwide appeal for volunteers to report to specially set up camps and train to fight alongside Palestinians against Israel.

This is a call to all parties, institutions, trade unions, students and youths, men and women to join the camps

Popular Defence Forces

The Popular Defence Forces (PDF) called for "all parties, institutions, trade unions, students and youths, men and women" to join the camps in a statement broadcast on state television and radio.

The PDF announced the opening of the training camps on Saturday, saying they had been set up following a directive from President Omar Hassan al-Bashir as a sign of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

It said the aim of the camps was to prepare the "mujahideen for the Palestinian cause and for freeing the Aqsa mosque from Zionist filth".

It is not clear how any fighters trained in Sudan would make their way to the battle zone.

Clerics' call

Muslim scholars in Sudan have also reportedly called for engagement with the Palestinian cause.

A decree carried in the Al-Sahafi Al-Dawli daily said Islamic armies "should not stand with their arms folded while Israel is killing the Palestinians".

They also called for Islamic rulers to boycott Israel and the USA both economically and politically.

They said they should challenge "American interests until the US reverses its hostile policy towards Muslims".

A fundraising campaign is also under way in Sudan, collecting money in mosques and other public places for the Palestinian cause.