Khartoum — A Darfur rebel groups released three Sudanese soldiers detained during recent clashes with the government army, the Red Cross said on Saturday.

"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has today facilitated the handover of three members of the Sudanese Armed Forces who were released by the Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minawi (SLA-MM), reads a statement released by the international group.

The Red Cross further said the released soldiers were handed over to the Sudanese authorities in North Darfur, stressing that two among them are injured and need medical care.

Sudanese army fought recently against SLM-MM rebels when the latter attempted to shell North Darfur state capital. Khartoum said they intercepted the rebels outside Al-Fasher and clashed with them at 25 kilometers

The Red Cross sid the two parties asked them to assist in the transfer of the soldiers as a neutral intermediary.

"We remain committed to providing such support in the future, should parties to the conflict ask us to do so," said Jean-Christophe Sandoz, head of the ICRC in Sudan.

The ICRC which works in Sudan since 1978, extended its operations to Darfur in 2004, where it provides assistance for victims of the armed conflict and other situations of violence.