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Recent fighting between Sudanese troops and rebels in the western region of Darfur has killed many people and displaced thousands more, UN and African peacekeepers said on Tuesday.
A statement from African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint following hostilities in Jebel Marra, South Darfur, and Jebel Moon, West Darfur.
"The clashes over the past few days have left many dead and caused thousands to flee their homes," the statement said.
Fighting pitted pro-government forces and combatants from the Sudan Liberation Army of Abdelwahid Nur -- one of two main rebel groups, in Jebel Marra, according to various reports.
The fighting forced the French aid group Medecins du Monde to evacuate a dozen of its expatriate workers, the organisation said.
Armed confrontation also erupted in Jebel Moon, another rebel stronghold near the border with Chad.
"Such confrontations may negatively affect the ongoing peace process, which has recently seen significant strides towards bringing stability to the region," said UNAMID chief Ibrahim Gambari.
Darfur rebels have been holding consultations in Qatar with mediators from the United Nations and the African Union aimed at paving the way for formal peace negotiations with the Khartoum government.
The United Nations says up to 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million fled their homes since the ethnic minority rebels in Darfur first rose up against the Arab-dominated Sudan government in February 2003.
Khartoum says 10,000 people have been killed.
