Sudanese army repels attack by RSF and SPLM-N in Blue Nile state

The Sudanese army announced it had delivered what it described as a "decisive blow" to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in the eastern sector of Blue Nile state, claiming to have inflicted "heavy losses in lives and equipment."

The army’s Fourth Infantry Division said in a statement on Saturday, as reported by Al Arabiya, that its forces and supporting units "dealt a decisive blow to the RSF militia and SPLM-N in the Minza and Bashkirkad areas" in eastern Blue Nile.

The division stated that the operation was a "special mission that inflicted heavy casualties and losses in equipment, thwarted the rebels’ movements, and blocked their advance toward army positions."

According to the statement, the Fourth Infantry Division forces "foiled hostile movements, destroyed several vehicles and equipment, and forced the attacking elements to retreat under heavy fire," adding that the operation demonstrated the vigilance and readiness of the armed forces to respond decisively to any hostile action targeting their positions or the safety and property of civilians.

Earlier on Saturday, Sudanese authorities reported that drones operated by the RSF targeted the residence of the Blue Nile state governor and several civilian sites in Damazin, the state capital.

Governor Ahmed Al-Omda said in a statement that "the RSF targeted the governor’s residence and some civilian sites with suicide drones."

Blue Nile state has witnessed escalating military activity in recent days, following attacks by the RSF and allied SPLM-N forces on several areas in the state.

Sudanese authorities and human rights organizations have accused the RSF of targeting civilian infrastructure, though the RSF typically does not comment on such allegations and claims it is working to protect civilians.

Sudan has been gripped by war between the army and the RSF since April 2023, following disputes over integrating the RSF into the military. The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 13 million people, according to UN and international estimates.