Hundreds of people have been murdered in new fighting in Sudan's Darfur region.

In Sudan's Darfur region, ethnic confrontations between the Rizeigat and Fallata clans have resulted in the deaths of dozens of individuals and the injuries of hundreds more.

The fighting began on Tuesday, apparently in response to the assassination of an ethnic Rizeigat lieutenant of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) by unknown gunmen.

Women and children are among those murdered in the battles, which are alleged to have lasted until Thursday.

The AFP news agency quoted a local government authority as saying, "Fifteen people were slain in violence between the Fallata and Rizeigat tribes on Tuesday, and 30 people were killed on Wednesday."

Security forces had been deployed to contain the situation, according to the security organization.

Darfur's war began in 2003 when ethnic African rebels rose against the Arab-dominated government of former President Omar al-Bashir.

Mr. Bashir retaliated by arming local Arab militias, which went after non-Arab communities suspected of backing the insurgents.

Hundreds of thousands of people were killed, and many communities were pillaged and burned.

While the major battle has diminished over time, fatal skirmishes over pasture or water frequently occur.

More than 40 people were killed and hundreds were injured in bloody clashes between the two communities last year before the two sides signed a short-lived peace treaty.