A heroes welcome for Sudanese military personal in the Heglig border region.<br/> <br />Soldiers stand on tope of a battered South Sudanese tank leaving no doubt who is in control of the holtly disputed oil area.<br/> <br />Heglig was at the center of the worst violence between Sudan and South Sudan since they split into two countries under a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of civil war.<br/> <br />South Sudan seized the region - earlier this month, before withdrawing last week under heavy international pressure and, according to Khartoum, a thrashing at the hands of the Sudanese army.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SUDANESE COMMANDER, MAJOR GENERAL KAMAL ABDUL MAROUF, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We killed and destroyed them. Their dead bodies amounted to 1200 and they also lost military vehicles, tanks, weapons and large quantities of ammunition."<br/> <br />The loss of the economically vital region had been a major shock to many Sudanese. News that it was back under the control of Sudan's army set off widespread celebrations in Khartoum.<br/> <br />Heglig produces about half of the Sudan's oil after the South seceded. Both sides have accused one another of damaging its infrastructure.<br/> <br />Military tensions continued to mount after South Sudan accused Sudan of bombing a market calling the attack a declaration of war. Sudan's army denied carrying out any air raids.<br/> <br />Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
