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50 killed in

Sudan clashes

KHARTOUM: About 50 people were killed and four wounded in clashes this week between rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Army and nomads in south-east Sudan, a press report said on Wednesday.

Reporting from Ed-Damazin, capital of Blue Nile state, the pro-government Alwan Daily said an armed group of nomads launched an assault on an SPLA camp at Bangela, in neighbouring Upper Nile, killed 20 rebels and forced the rest to flee before seizing quantities of weapons, ammunition and rations.

Five nomads were killed and four others were seriously injured in the battle, the paper said.

It added that the assault was in reprisal for an attack by the rebels the day before in which the rebels killed 24 nomads, including women, and rustled livestock.

Alwan quoted an unnamed source as saying government troops took "full control" of Bangela region and are now chasing the rebels there.ÑAFP