CAIRO, Feb 1: Southern rebels say they have captured the town of Aweil. the third largest in southern Sudan, for the first time in their 15 year rebellion against Khartoum, reports AFP.

A statement received here said the town's capture followed the return to rebel ranks of Kerbino Kunayen. a key commander who defected to the government last April.

It said fighting was still continuing around the government garrison which was encircled by forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA).

The SPLA statement denied government claims that it had retaken the second town of Wau but admitted that government troops had recaptured the airport and that heavy fighting was going on.

The SPLA said its forces were preventing any flights into Wau and also 'now controlled the railway between Aweil and Wau. the only land access to Wau for government troops."

The fighting at Wau had inflicted "a large number of dead and wounded in government ranks." said the statement from the Eritrean capital Asmara.

The SPLA announced it had captured six strategic points in Wau including the airport and railway headquarters in a communique Thursday.

The Sudanese Army admitted on Friday that ft had lost 23 men in'the fighting, including four officers, but maintained it still controlled the town.

About 500 SPLA troops attacked Wau at midnight on Wednesday in an assault which coincided with other attacks in the same state against Gogrial and Aweil. the deputy chief of staff. General Abdul-Raman Siral-Khatim. told the Suna news agency.