Ethiopian armed militias have once again intruded into Sudanese territory, abducting two individuals and stealing a corn harvest after it was gathered. This incident marks the second of its kind this week, according to Sudanese media.
"Sudan Tribune" reported that the incident occurred 10 kilometers deep into Sudanese territory in the Al-Fashaga area adjacent to the Gedaref state, where an armed group intruded into the southeastern part of "Al-Alaw," blocking the path of Sudanese farmers and workers during the corn harvest, and abducted two of them. Farmers confirmed to "Sudan Tribune" that the militias looted 1,000 sacks of corn and twenty sacks of sesame, in addition to one of the harvesting machines. Farmers have called for the urgent intervention of the Sudanese army to protect them from ongoing assaults and looting operations that have persisted for more than five days since the Sudanese army liberated 50,000 acres from the grasp of Ethiopian militias. They noted that the delay in army intervention and the resolution of the assaults have increased the ambitions of the militias and encouraged their looting operations.
Since November 2020, the Sudanese army has been redeploying in the Al-Fashaga areas, later claiming to have recovered 90% of the territories occupied by Ethiopian forces and militias for 26 years. The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the deployment of the armed forces in the border region of Al-Fashaga with Ethiopia is a final decision with no turning back. It clarified that "Ethiopia should resort to the law if it believes it has a right to Al-Fashaga," emphasizing that there is no talk of mediation with Ethiopia regarding the borders at this stage, as Addis Ababa has ambitions in Sudanese territory.
