A Sudanese rebel group allied with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said on Saturday that it had captured a strategic area in Blue Nile state, while the army said it had repelled an attack by the alliance.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), which is part of an alliance known as the Sudan Founding Forces, said its fighters had seized several military positions in the Al-Kadalou area of Roseires locality, near the Ethiopian border.
The group said it had seized more than 20 military vehicles and taken several soldiers prisoner after heavy fighting on Saturday. It also claimed to have captured positions in Minza, Jebel Nimir and other areas, and said its forces were preparing to advance towards Damazin, the state capital.
The claims could not be independently verified.
A video released by the alliance showed its Blue Nile sector commander, Major General Hassan Adam Al-Hassan, appearing among fighters.
In the video, Al-Hassan said the group had taken control of several military positions and that the state capital, Damazin, and the headquarters of Roseires locality were its next military targets.
The army said on Saturday that its forces had repelled an advance by the RSF and SPLM-N in the Minza and Bashkarkat areas of eastern Blue Nile. It did not provide details of the fighting.
Blue Nile Governor Ahmed al-Omda Badi said separately that the RSF had attacked his residence and other civilian sites in Damazin with explosive-laden drones. He said air-defence forces had intercepted the attack.
Al-Kadalou lies about 50 km from Roseires and 60 km from Damazin, close to the Ethiopian border. The area is also rich in forest and mineral resources.
Fighting in Blue Nile has intensified since January between the army and the RSF-SPLM-N alliance. The alliance has previously seized the border localities of Kurmuk and Geisan, as well as the Bakori and Surkum military bases.
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