Deadly Attack in Disputed Abyei Region Claims 32 Lives

Heavy fighting in the disputed region of Abyei, claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, has resulted in the deaths of at least 32 people, including a UN peacekeeper. The clashes occurred when unknown gunmen attacked two villages in the southern part of the region. Inter-communal and cross-border clashes have escalated since South Sudan deployed troops to the contested territory in March. The UN peacekeeping mission in Abyei has condemned the troop deployment, warning of humanitarian concerns. The conflict between Sudan's army and a rival paramilitary force has also been spreading closer to South Sudan and the Abyei region, with over 9,000 people killed and millions displaced since mid-April. The final status of Abyei, an oil-rich region, has yet to be settled through negotiations as outlined in a 2005 peace deal.