37 killed, 36 wounded in latest Abyei attacks

ABYEI — Armed youth from neighboring Warrap State launched fresh attacks in the disputed Abyei area, killing at least 37 people and wounding 36 others, authorities say.

Abyei’s information minister, Bulis Koch, told Sudans Post on Sunday evening that armed youth from Twic Mayardit, backed by forces loyal to spiritual leader Gai Machiek, attacked several villages, including Rumamer, Alal, and Mijak counties.

The initial attacks on Friday and Saturday left 19 people dead and 18 injured, according to Koch, who also serves as the Abyei government spokesperson.

“The villagers were killed, their property looted and destroyed, and their huts set on fire by the attackers, who are Twic armed youth supported by Gai Machiek’s militias,” he said.

An additional attack early on Sunday claimed the lives of 18 more people, including an aid worker from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Koch reported.

The attacks targeted Akechnial, Abathok, and Machbong villages, killing four women, three children, and the MSF staffer.

“The government of the Abyei Special Administrative Area strongly condemns the terrorist attacks, the heinous killings of innocent civilians, the burning of local markets and residential areas, the theft of one thousand head of cattle, and the looting of property,” Koch declared.

He further stated that “this cycle of attacks by Twic armed youth and Gai Machiek rebels violates the recent presidential orders aimed at resolving the conflict between Ngok Dinka and Twic communities of Warrap State.”