Thousands flee Darfur battle over gold

AL-SIREAF, Sudan, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Over 100,000 people have fled a battle over a gold mine between two Arab communities in Sudan's Darfur region, the United Nations said.

Violence in Darfur has declined from its peak after civil war broke out in 2003, but government forces, ethnic groups, rebels and bandits still engage in clashes. The latest is over gold deposits in the northern area of Darfur, the BBC reported Friday.

Many of the recent refugees are living outdoors in what the United Nations described as appalling conditions, adding it sent 600 tons of food and blankets to the town of al-Sireaf to aid them.