Security authorities in Gadarif State, East Sudan, have closed the Galabat crossing point, on Sudan- Ethiopia borders, military sources said.
Khartoum: Altaghyeer
The authorities said Sudanese citizens have of recently been subjected to robbery and properties forcefully taken away upon crossing, thus authorities decided to close the crossing point.
Galabat crossing was recently inaugurated following a recommendation by the technical committee of the Sudan’s coup Security and Defense Council.
Office of the spokesman of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) said at the time that the step was taken in response to the goodwill measures adopted by the Ethiopian authorities to curb sneaking of armed groups into the Sudanese territories.
The military sources have meanwhile confirmed to Altaghyeer that Commander of the borders Galabat Military Garrison was kidnapped by Ethiopian militias last Friday.
The source, who asked not to be named, said the garrison commander, a Captain, went to the crossing leading a group of five soldiers after they received a complaint on abduction of two children by the Ethiopian armed militias.
The so-called Shifta- Ethiopian gangs- have recently intensified activities of abduction of Sudanese citizens and asking families to pay huge ransoms if they wish to secure their release.
The group of soldiers exchanged fire with the gangs but they ran out of ammunition a matter that led to holding the commander captive.
Sources revealed concurrent intensive security deployment in the Sudanese town of Galabat and Ethiopian Town of Matama.
Since last year, the Sudanese Ethiopian borders area have witnessed high tension after a SAF force ambushed by Ethiopian army and militias resulting in the death of four Sudanese soldiers.
The borders have turned into military mobilization zone by the two sides raising concern a about eruption of an all out clashes in the region.
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