The key facts

  • Sudan's army said it repelled an attack by the RSF and SPLM-N in the Sali area, Blue Nile state
  • 15 combat vehicles captured, five more destroyed — according to the 4th Infantry Division
  • The day before, an attack in the Al-Baraka area and a drone attack east of Khartoum were reported

Army repelled attack in Sali area

Sudan's army said on Tuesday, October 20, that it repelled an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its ally — the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N) — on its positions in Blue Nile state in the country's southeast. According to the Anadolu agency, citing a statement from the army's 4th Infantry Division, the attack targeted positions in the Sali area in the eastern part of the state.

Claimed losses of the attackers

The division's statement said the attackers suffered 'heavy losses in personnel and equipment.' 'Our forces repelled the attack and thwarted the enemy's plan,' the statement was quoted as saying. According to the army, troops captured 15 fully equipped combat vehicles and destroyed five more of the attackers' vehicles. The division also said it would continue to counter attempts to breach positions and conduct field operations to strengthen security and control over the area. These figures come from the army's side; no independent confirmation is mentioned in the report.

Escalation in the state and war context

On Monday, according to the army, it also repelled an attack by the RSF and allied SPLM-N forces in the Al-Baraka area in Blue Nile state, while air defense systems responded to a drone attack east of the capital Khartoum. According to Anadolu, fighting in Blue Nile state has intensified in recent weeks following RSF and SPLM-N attacks on territories across the state. The war between the army and the RSF has been ongoing since April 2023 due to disagreements over the integration of military structures; it has reportedly killed tens of thousands of people and displaced about 13 million.