Sudan claims its officers were ambushed by Ethiopian forces

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A number of Sudan armed forces officers were ambushed by “Ethiopian forces and militias” during a security patrol of the border region.

“During the return of our forces from combing the area around Jabal Abutiour in our territory, they were ambushed by Ethiopian forces and militias inside Sudanese territory, as a result of which lives and equipment were lost,” the army said of the Tuesday attack.

The Sudanese army did not specify how many officers were killed. Local residents said reinforcements were sent to the area, part of the Fashaqa locality where Ethiopian refugees have crossed into Sudan.

Fighting started on November 4 between Ethiopia’s government and the then-governing party in Tigray, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Thousands are believed killed and more than 950 000 displaced, some 50 000 of them into Sudan, according to UN estimates.

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok visited Ethiopia on Sunday and relayed concerns about threats to Sudan’s security on its border with Tigray.