Communal fighting claims 36 lives in Sudan-South Sudan disputed Abyei

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) – At least 36 people have been confirmed killed, and 20 others wounded on Sunday in deadly communal fighting between the communities of Abyei and those in Twic County of Warrap state in South Sudan.

Bulis Koch, a government spokesperson and Minister of Information for Abyei Administrative Area, a contested oil-rich territory straddling the border of both countries, condemned the attacks that occurred early Sunday in two counties by armed militias and soldiers wearing uniforms of South Sudan's national army.

"In these attacks, 36 people were killed, including women and children burned in their huts, and more than 20 people wounded," Koch told Anadolu by phone from Abyei.

He said that 32 people were killed on Sunday during the attack, and four people were found dead in the bush this morning, bringing the total number to 36 people.

He said that the attackers, who came from the Ajak-Kuach area of Twic County, also killed one UNISFA soldier and injured one.

He said the latest "barbaric attacks on civilians" were a continuation of deadly violence that broke out last week in the region.

Koch said that the authorities have imposed a curfew from 6 pm to 6 am to give security organs time to provide more protection to the civil population and identify those who might be carrying out more attacks.

“The government of Abyei Special Administrative Area condemns in the strongest terms possible this heinous attack on unarmed civilians, as well as the cold-blooded killing of the national army families in Ayoak by the same elements of army division three.”

The latest revenge attack comes after last week’s clashes in the Ayuok area of Twic County between the two sides, which left 35 people killed, including army soldiers.

Abyei Administrative Area remains a contested area between South Sudan and its neighbor Sudan, which is currently mired in conflict since April 15.