The Sudanese government denies the SLM claim that they killed 500 government troops in North Darfur. Much of the reporting out of Darfur is via government or rebel press release (and occasionally from NGO sources). A western wire service quoted the government spokesman as saying the SLM claims were a "false media rattle..." The Sudanese government calls the SLM a group of outlaws and claims they are supported by tribes in Chad. The SLM has said it is an ally of the SPLA.