Sudanese army loses restive area in Blue Nile to rebels

KHARTOUM — The Sudanese army on Wednesday said it lost an area in Blue Nile state to fighters of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA/northern sector) only two days after regaining it from the rebels.“The army has moved out from Mafo area in Blue Nile State after inflicting heavy losses on the fighters who attacked the area,” said Al-Sawarmy Khalid Saad, Sudanese army spokesman, in a statement. A mixed force of the South Sudanese army and the SPLA/northern sector, likely supported by foreign elements, attacked Mafo area wearing bulletproof vests and driving tanks earlier on Wednesday, he added. He further said the Sudanese army is preparing for an operation to retake the area as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Sudanese army spokesman denied that there was fighting taking place in the outskirts of the strategic town of Al-Kurmuk in Blue Nile state. On Monday the Sudanese army announced it had taken full control over Mafo area in southwest Blue Nile state, which has witnessed armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the rebels of the SPLM/ northern sector since the separation of South Sudan in July 2011. Xinhua