Some 100 people were killed in tribal fighting in South Darfur in western Sudan, Sudan's Sudantribune website reported on Monday.

More than 400 gunmen from the Fallata and Salamat tribes attacked the Habaniya in Wad Hajam, 50 km west of Buram on Thursday, the report said.

The retaliatory attack comes after an earlier attack by Habaniya on Tomat village on Dec. 4 when 20 people were killed.

The Fallata used heavy weapons in their attack in which six policemen, who had been attempting to stop the attack, were among the casualties.

Reports said 35 members of Fallata tribe died during the fighting, while seven members of the Habaniya are reported to be missing, and 18 injured were taken to Buram hospital.

The village of Wad Hajam was looted and burned and more than 5, 000 people were allegedly displaced.

The Habaniya and Fallata, who live nearby each other, have regular disputes over cattle theft and the area's resources. Both tribes are herders.

Both the Habaniya and Fallata are considered as government- allied tribe who waged attack against Darfur civilians to quell Darfur rebellion.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2008)