Sudan says its armed forces seized rebel stronghold in border state; SPLM-N rebels say ‘war will continue’

Sudan said on Thursday its armed forces had seized the rebel stronghold of Kurmuk in Blue Nile border state after two months of fighting.

“Our troops entered the town of Kurmuk, expelled the insurgents and killed and wounded many (of them) and they are now cleansing the town,” the Sudanese defense ministry said on its website.

Kurmuk has been the main stronghold of SPLM-North rebels since fighting broke out with the army in Blue Nile state bordering South Sudan in September. Violence had started in the border state of South Kordofan in June.

Rebels in Sudan’s Blue Nile border state vowed to continue fighting after the Sudanese army captured their main stronghold of Kurmuk.

“The SPLM troops have withdrawn from Kurmuk for strategic reasons. The Sudanese army controls Kurmuk but this is not the end of the war in Blue Nile,” said Sulaiman Othman, a spokesman for SPLM-North in Blue Nile.

Kurmuk has been the main stronghold of SPLM-North rebels since fighting broke out with the army in Blue Nile state bordering South Sudan in September. Violence had started in the border state of South Kordofan in June.