"SAF forces on Thursday morning attacked rebel positions at Sharfa area, southwest of Takmari in eastern Jabel Marra and managed to destroy and expel the rebels from the area in a battle that lasted for two hours," said SAF Spokesperson al-Sawarmi Khalid Saad in the statement.

"The attack came as part of the SAF operations to open the roads and secure the villages at eastern Jabel Marra against remnants of Abdel-Wahid Nur rebel movement, bandits from forces of Arko Minnawi and other criminals," he noted.

He said 25 of the rebels were killed and many others were injured, and that the SAF forces seized four armed Land Cruiser vehicles.

He added that two of the SAF soldiers were killed, and 10 others were injured.

Al-Sawarmi further said the SAF would continue its operations to destroy all the rebel forces, provide security for the citizens and open the roads to resume normal life in the area.

According to UN sources, fierce clashes broke out this week between the Sudanese government forces and the rebel groups in West Darfur, namely at Thabit and Shangil Tubaya areas, some 70 km southwest of El Fasher, capital of North Darfur State.

UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) earlier said that the intermittent violent clashes in this area since mid December with attacks against civilians has caused loss of life, destruction of property, renewed displacement of thousands of civilians and withdrawal of humanitarian workers.

Early this week, the Sudanese government returned its negotiating delegation to the Qatari capital of Doha which is patronizing the Darfur peace talks, but some major Darfur armed movements are still boycotting the Doha negation forum.