September 8, 2002; And tit for tat. The SPLA told the Sudanese government (Khartoum) that if Sudan wanted more war, the rebel SPLA was prepared to give it to them. The SPLA statement said SPLA troops were positioned to defend Torit against any government counter-attack. The SPLA also said that it had driven around 8,000 Sudanese government troops and militia from Torit after the government forces attacked SPLA positions outside of Torit.