Armed attackers launched a violent assault on innocent people in the villages of Malual Aleu, Banton, Awolnhom, Abathok, Majbong, Awal, and east of Rumamier. They utilized rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, allegedly due to a disagreement over land.

According to reports, a minimum of 37 individuals have lost their lives and many others have been harmed, including women and children. In addition, multiple villages were burnt down and thousands of livestock were taken.

The UNISFA mission released a statement on Monday expressing strong condemnation for the continuing violence that is exacerbating tensions between communities and jeopardizing the delicate peace.

UNISFA is making all efforts to restore calm, protect civilians, and engage with local authorities, community leaders, civil society, and other stakeholders to prevent retaliatory attacks, it added.

The objective has also heightened land and air surveillance to discourage any additional aggression and safeguard civilians.

‘Blue helmets’ attacked

UNISFA reported that peacekeepers participating in the mission were also attacked during the conflicts.

During an unexpected attack, an armored vehicle carrying personnel was heavily fired upon. The UN peacekeepers stationed at a base in Marial Achak also came under fire, but the attackers were eventually driven away.

No deaths were documented.

Surge in clashes

The violence occurred one week following the deaths of over 50 individuals, including two United Nations peacekeepers, in attacks against civilians due to conflicts over land.

Currently, UNISFA peacekeepers are providing shelter and basic assistance to over 2,000 displaced individuals at their bases.

UNISFA mandate

In June of 2011, the UN Security Council approved the sending of peacekeeping troops to Abyei, an area that is contested between Sudan and South Sudan and both countries claim as their own.

The Council took action due to widespread violence and displacement of people in the region, which occurred as South Sudan was getting ready to officially announce its independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011. This marked the end of the 2005 peace agreement.

Before the Security Council decision, the area of Abyei, which is abundant in resources, experienced numerous violent confrontations that resulted in the displacement of more than 100,000 individuals from their residences.

Source: news.un.org