The Sudanese army says its soldiers have killed at least 30 rebels in clashes in Sudan's troubled North Darfur region.

The army spokesman, Col. Sawarme Khalid, says the rebel forces belong to Justice and Equality Movement. He told the semiofficial Sudan Media Center Wednesday that the army turned back a rebel attack in Jebel Marra area of North Darfur.

Darfur has been in turmoil since 2003, when ethnic Africans rebelled, accusing the Arab-dominated Sudanese government of discrimination. Rights groups charge the regime retaliated by unleashing Arab militias on civilians, a claim the government denies.

The U.N. estimates 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million have been displaced in the conflict.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has been indicted on war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court over Darfur.