At least 19 people were killed and dozens injured in a violent attack in the disputed Abyei region along the Sudan-South Sudan border, according to the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA).
The incident occurred on Wednesday, with suspected nomadic Misseriya herders from Sudan targeting the Dinka village of Kolom, located about nine kilometers northwest of Abyei.
UNISFA reported 25 wounded, three missing children, and 19 houses burned.
However, Kuol Alor Kuol, the chief administrator of Abyei, claimed a higher toll, stating 32 deaths—including children and women—24 injured, 15 abducted (including children), and 20 houses destroyed.
The wounded were evacuated to a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in Agok.
Tensions and Aftermath
Abyei has been a contested area since South Sudan’s independence in 2011, with ongoing friction between the Ngok Dinka community and Misseriya herders seeking grazing land.
Graphic online footage revealed burned homes and injured individuals, highlighting the attack’s severity.
UNISFA noted that armed groups from both the Misseriya and Dinka communities are gathering near Kolom, raising concerns about further escalation.
The peacekeeping force has deployed troops to manage movements and stabilize the situation.
Concerns Over Rising Violence
UNISFA expressed alarm, calling the attack a “cause for concern” amid efforts to maintain peace.
The discrepancy in casualty figures between UNISFA and local officials suggests potential challenges in verifying the full impact.
With historical tensions fueling such incidents, the region remains volatile, prompting calls for de-escalation as peacekeeping efforts continue.
