A senior official in the disputed area of Abyei said fighting is ongoing after armed youths suspected to have come from Twic County of Warrap State attacked villages in Abyei.

Bulis Koch, Abyei's Information Minister, told Radio Tamazuj Sunday morning that fighting was continuing in several villages within the Abyei region.

"I want to inform the public through Radio Tamazuj about the fighting; details will follow later. Yesterday [Saturday], armed youths from Twic attacked Athony-Ayuok village inside Abyei Box. These armed youths from Twic and Gai Machiek forces erected a checkpoint and started taxing passengers there. When passengers reported it to the police at Kadhiang official checkpoint, they attacked people and wounded seven people," he said.

"This morning [Sunday], the armed youth from Twic attacked Juol-Jok village in Rumamer County at 6:30 am, and at 7 am, another attack happened at Agok West. At 8:30 am, another attack happened at Wau Yicin village. They ambushed an ambulance bringing wounded people from Juol-Jok to MSF Hospital, and as I speak, there is fighting going on now in the Majak Deng Kaya area," he added.

Twic county authorities could not immediately be reached for comment.

The ongoing conflict commenced in February 2022 after the two communities -Twic and Ngok Dinka- disagreed over lands that straddle their border. Hundreds of people have been killed from both sides, and thousands displaced. 

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