Three people were killed in an attack on a village on Wednesday, the Chief Administrator of Abyei Area has said.

Chol Deng Alaak alleges that Misseriya militia stormed Diar village in the South West of the region.

He says the local youth fought back and defended the people and properties.

“These soldiers killed three people from the youth that tried to defend their properties,” Mr Alaak told Eye Radio. “They were repulsed but, we don’t know what the casualties are on their side.”

Mr Alaak says calm has returned to the area. Abyei is a contested area between the Sudan and South Sudan. The two parties are yet to agree on how to conduct a referendum to determine the status of the region.