SUDAN – An attack in the Al-Silik area of Blue Nile state by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was on Saturday repelled, according to the Sudanese army.

In a statement, the army said troops from the Fourth Infantry Division confronted RSF forces and their ally, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N), describing the clash as a decisive response that halted the assault.

The statement said government forces pushed back the attackers and inflicted significant losses in personnel and military equipment.

“The Fourth Infantry Division will remain a firm barrier against any attempts to undermine security and stability in the region,” the army said.

There was no immediate comment from the RSF or the SPLM-N on the statement.

On Jan. 25, the Sudanese army said it had repelled a similar attack by RSF forces and allied fighters on the Al-Silik and Malkan areas in Blue Nile state.

Of Sudan’s 18 states, the RSF controls all five states in the western Darfur region, except for parts of North Darfur that remain under army control.

The army holds most areas of the remaining 13 states across the south, north, east and center of the country, including the capital, Khartoum.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, has killed thousands of people, displaced millions and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.