Sudanese army restores area from rebels in Blue Nile State

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The Sudanese army on Sunday restored control of Ashambo area in Sudan's Blue Nile State, said an army spokesman.

"The armed forces have managed to liberate Ashambo village in Gaisan area in Blue Nile State near the Sudanese-Ethiopian border, " Al-Sawarmy Khalid Saad told reporters.

Days ago, a rebel group belonging to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector entered the village, burned the market and looted citizens' properties, Saad said, noting that on Sunday the armed forces attacked those rebel militants and liberated the area.

The rebels have fled, with many of their members dead, and the armed forces are still pursuing the remnants, said the spokesman.

Blue Nile State has been witnessing armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the rebels of the SPLM/northern sector since 2011.