afrol News, 23 May - The Nigerian battalion with the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping in Sudan's Darfur region (UNAMID) was ambushed by armed men on horseback.

The attack, carried out by 60 armed men, took place along the new airport road close to El-Geneina in the western region, the scene of five years of worst attrocities.

The horseback assailants, who went away with rifles, ammunition, cash and mobile phones belonging to UNAMID peacekeepers, did not fire a single bullet.

Armed attacks on peacekeepers and aid agencies have become rampant in Sudan's trouble region, amid increasing reports of worst humanitarian situation. A number of United Nations food agency truckers were killed and relief supplies looted while they were transporting food aid to people needing food and humanitarian assistance.

In March, an armed group threatened the lives of close to 200,000 people after it had hijacked the drilling rig of the North Darfur State Water Corporation. Aid agencies feared that these people might not have access to clean water.

In the past few days, troops loyal to the Sudanese government and South Sudan have been clashing in the oil-rich Abyei region along the border between the North and South Sudan.

Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan has accused Sudanese troops of killing civilians and refugees during the clashes. Sudanese authorities said the latest clashes were responses to the provocation by the Sudan People's Liberation Army, an armed wing of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement of Mr Kiir. SPLA forces were accused of attacking a Sudanese military contingent, killing 22 soldiers and wounding several others.

But Mr Kiir used his movement's 25th anniversary to blame the ruling National Congress Party of President al-Bashir of delaying the full application of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Accord, especially the one concerning Abyei.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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