At least 10 civilians were killed in West Kordofan and 5,500 displaced in Blue Nile as clashes widened on Tuesday.

Sudan’s military chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has promised to seize “every inch” of territory under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), rejecting negotiations to end three and a half years of war.

Al-Burhan made the comments on Tuesday while addressing a gathering in Village 5, located in the northern Sudanese locality of Merowe, according to the Sudan News Agency.

He said the “military option” would continue until the RSF was removed from Sudan.

The Sudanese army and the RSF have been fighting since April 2023 after leaders of the groups fell out over plans to integrate the paramilitary force into Sudan’s army. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around 13 million, according to UN and international estimates.

Al-Burhan’s pledge to continue fighting came as 10 civilians were killed and several others were wounded in an attack by the RSF in Sudan’s West Kordofan state, according to a local charity group.

In a statement, the Dar Hamar Emergency Committee accused the RSF of multiple violations against civilians in Abu Ajal village in the southeastern countryside of En Nahud.

The RSF has been massing in West Kordofan as Sudan’s army advances towards the cities of En Nahud and Al Khuway after gains in neighbouring North Kordofan.

In Sudan’s Blue Nile state, more than 5,500 people were displaced from villages over three days amid deteriorating security, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, an envoy of US President Donald Trump said Sudanese parties must take the lead in talks to end the war.

In a post on X on Monday, Massad Boulos, the US senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, said peace could be achieved “through an inclusive Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led national dialogue, transition toward a civilian-led government”.

The US State Department said last month that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces, the RSF, nor their respective leaders “represent legitimate, constitutional governance for Sudan”.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree says the group has thwarted attempts by Yemeni government forces to advance toward the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Hit Northern Irish police series, Blue Lights, aired its second episode on Tuesday night with the series also available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer

Blue Lights recently returned with series four.

The hit Northern Irish police series is back with its fourth season, which is available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer now, and Tuesday night saw episode two air.

A teaser for series four reads: “Three years into their jobs as response officers, Constables Grace Ellis, Tommy Foster, and Annie Conlon are operating at their limit, facing a new threat on the streets that the police can barely control.

“Meanwhile, the murder trial of Gerry Cliff exposes a dangerous and long-buried secret that leads to chaos both inside the police and across the criminal underworld.

“As they grapple with big decisions about their future, Grace, Tommy and Annie must find the courage to face the greatest threat they have ever encountered: the truth.”

Meanwhile, a synopsis for episode two saw: “In the wake of the attack on Amira, Grace’s determination puts her in danger, while Mo spirals further with violent consequences.”

Many fans have already binged series four, taking to Twitter, now X, to share their thoughts one person said: “Such a brilliant show. Season 4 binged over 2 days. Not sure where it goes from here, would love more. I grew up with Cagney & Lacey, that really made me smile #BlueLights.”

Another viewer wrote: “@BBC thank you for another brilliant series of #bluelights, hopefully they’ll find a way to come back for a fifth season.”

A different account put: “Just finished episode two of #BlueLights it’s brilliant! No spoilers!” while another person added: “Two episodes into #BlueLights S4, @sgfmann you were indeed correct, it’s great – gripping & so pertinent.”

Elsewhere, another show watcher praised: “Just finished S4 of #BlueLights, surely one the best cop dramas ever produced, the writing, acting and filming are all top notch.

“Edge of my seat every episode. If that was the last, then what a way to go out! Deserves every award coming it’s way!”

While a different account added: “Finished watching #bluelights series 4 . I hope the BBC plan on doing more it’s probably one of the best shows I’ve watched on the beeb in recent years .. not sure how exactly most storylines seemed to be wrapped up!”

Blue Lights is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer