Armed Misseriya kill four, burn houses in Abyei

March 2, 2014 (ABYEI) – An attack by 100 armed Misseriya left four people dead, three wounded and eight children missing in Abyei, the UN peacekeeping force (UNISFA) said.

The attack reportedly occurred on Sunday in Marialachak, a village located in the southern part of the oil-producing region contested by Sudan and South Sudan.

The disputed area is claimed by the Misseriya as well as Ngok Dinka communities who have coexisted in the region for a long time and shared the grazing resources.

At least 24 houses were burnt in the operation, the peacekeeping mission reported.

“UNISFA launched patrols to engage the attackers, which they encountered near the town of Shegag. In the ensuing firefight, four armed Misseriya were captured and three killed,” a UN spokesperson said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

“A UNISFA patrol also apprehended four unarmed Misseriya men moving from the general direction of the incident,” he added.

According to UNISFA, this was the fourth serious incident between Misseriya and Dinka Ngok communities in the past two months, as signs of a deterioration security environment manifests in the area.

(ST)