REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KHARTOUM -- Sudanese rebels on Saturday said they killed 54 government soldiers and seized a strategic town in South Kordofan region, but the Sudanese army denied the matter.

"The forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) /northern sector have managed to liberate Habila town, some 30 km south-east of Al-Dalanj town in South Kordofan State," said Arno Taloudy, spokesman for the rebel fighters, in a statement.

However, the Sudanese army denied the rebels' claims of controlling Habaila, but admitted that there were confrontations at the town.

"The SPLM/northern sector on Saturday morning committed civilian crimes by attacking Habila town in South Kordofan State where they destroyed the citizens' homes and properties and burned the market," official SUNA news agency quoted Al-Sawarmy Khalid Saad, Sudanese army spokesman, as saying.

He added that the army reinforced the forces which were at the town base and controlled the situation after repulsing the rebels.

The SPLM/northern sector has been fighting the Sudanese army in South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas since 2011.

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