The Sudanese army announced on Monday that it had successfully repelled attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-North) fighters in the southeastern Blue Nile region, claiming that the offensive resulted in significant losses of personnel and military equipment for the attackers.
In a statement, the army’s 4th Infantry Division said its troops, supported by allied forces, prevented the attackers from breaking through military positions in Bakori, located in Geissan locality, and Sali, in Kurmuk locality.
However, the military did not disclose specific casualty figures or provide details about the equipment reportedly destroyed. The RSF had not issued an immediate response to the claims.
Major General Ismail al-Tayeb Hussein, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said government forces remained committed to defending Blue Nile and continuing military operations against the RSF and its allied groups.
The latest clashes follow an intensification of violence across Blue Nile in recent weeks. The RSF and SPLM-North have repeatedly launched attacks on several locations in the region.
On October 22, Sudanese authorities reported that the army had regained control of the strategically important Bakori area after fighting against the two groups.
Bakori is situated approximately 70 kilometres southeast of Damazin, the regional capital. It also hosts a military installation belonging to the 13th Infantry Brigade of the army’s 4th Infantry Division.
Meanwhile, Sali is located south of Damazin, around 25 kilometres north of Kurmuk and close to the Ethiopian border. Government forces previously reported repelling several attacks in the area throughout October.
Blue Nile is strategically important because of its geographical position along the borders with Ethiopia and South Sudan. The region has experienced growing military activity as fighting continues to spread.
Sudan has remained engulfed in conflict between the national army and the RSF since April 2023. The ongoing war has triggered a devastating humanitarian emergency, claiming tens of thousands of lives and forcing millions of people to flee their homes.
PRESS UPDATE