SUDANESE ARMY SAYS IT REPELS RSF ATTACK IN BLUE NILE STATE

Sudan’s army says it has repelled attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their ally, the SPLM-N, in Blue Nile state. The military claims it captured 15 combat vehicles and destroyed five others. The clashes come amid escalating violence in Sudan’s war, which began in April 2023 and has displaced around 13 million people.

ARMY CLAIMS HEAVY LOSSES FOR ATTACKING FORCES

Sudan’s army says it has repelled an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its ally, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), in southeastern Blue Nile state.
According to the army’s 4th Infantry Division, the attack targeted its positions in the Sali area in the eastern part of the state. The military said its troops successfully resisted the assault, inflicting heavy losses on the attacking forces in both personnel and equipment.
The army also claimed that its troops captured 15 fully equipped combat vehicles and destroyed five others belonging to the RSF and its allies. These claims have not been independently verified.
The division said its forces would continue defending their positions against further attacks while conducting operations aimed at strengthening security and maintaining control of the area.

FIGHTING SPREADS ACROSS BLUE NILE STATE

The latest confrontation follows another reported attack on Monday, when the Sudanese army said it had repelled RSF and SPLM-N fighters in the Al Baraka area of Blue Nile state.
The army also reported that its air defence systems responded to a drone attack east of Khartoum, Sudan’s capital. These incidents point to continued military pressure on government forces in different parts of the country.
Blue Nile state has experienced increased fighting in recent weeks as the RSF and SPLM-N have launched attacks in several areas. The involvement of allied armed groups adds another layer of complexity to the conflict and raises concerns about the security of communities caught between opposing forces.

WHY BLUE NILE STATE MATTERS

Blue Nile state lies in southeastern Sudan, near the Ethiopian and South Sudanese borders. Its location makes it strategically important, while the presence of competing armed groups has contributed to instability in the region.
Control of towns, military positions and supply routes can influence the ability of opposing forces to move fighters and equipment. Continued fighting may also force civilians to flee their homes and disrupt access to food, healthcare and other essential services.
Although the army says it has maintained control of the targeted positions, repeated attacks suggest that the security situation remains fragile.

SUDAN’S WAR CONTINUES TO CAUSE A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

Sudan has been at war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the national army and the RSF following disagreements over plans to integrate the paramilitary force into the regular military.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around 13 million, creating one of the world’s most serious humanitarian crises. Both sides have faced allegations of abuses, while the RSF has been accused of committing mass atrocities.
The prolonged fighting has damaged infrastructure, disrupted public services and left many families struggling to find food, shelter and medical care.

MILITARY ADVANCES OFFER LITTLE RELIEF TO CIVILIANS

The Sudanese army says it will continue operations to defend its positions and strengthen its control of Blue Nile state. However, the latest clashes indicate that fighting is likely to remain a threat as rival forces compete for territory.
For civilians, the immediate concern is whether the violence will spread to more communities and trigger further displacement. Without a lasting ceasefire and progress towards a political settlement, military confrontations are likely to continue prolonging Sudan’s humanitarian emergency.