Sudanese conservative forces, led by the Ansar, pose the greatest threat to the RCC.

Imam al-Hadi al-Mahdi has withdrawn to his Aba Island stronghold in the Nile, near Khartoum, in the belief that the government has decided to strike at the Ansar movement.

The Imam has demanded a return to democratic government, the exclusion of communists from power, and an end to RCC rule.

In March 1970, hostile Ansar crowds prevent Nimeiry from visiting the island for talks with the imam.

Fighting subsequently erupts between government forces and as many as thirty thousand Ansar.

When the Ansar ignore an ultimatum to surrender, army units with air support assault Aba Island.

About three thousand people die during the battle.

The Imam escapes only to be killed while attempting to cross the border into Ethiopia.

The government exiles Sadiq al Mahdi to Egypt, where Nasser promises to keep him under guard to prevent him from succeeding his uncle as head of the Ansar movement.