The African Union (AU) warned on Wednesday that rebels in Sudan's restive western region of Darfur could launch a new attack at al-Fashir, the biggest city in the region, within 24 hours.

"The situation continues to be extremely tense and the further reports indicate that the city of al-Fashir is under threat of attack within 24 hours" by a coalition of rebel factions, the AU said in a statement issued in Khartoum.

According to the statement, headquarters of the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in the city could be a target of the attack.

"Any threat to AMIS camps, personnel and properties, would be viewed as a deliberate violation of the ceasefire Agreements and Protocols, as well as a provocation against AMIS Forces," the statement stressed.

It said that the chairperson of the AU Commission appeals to all the parties to immediately cease any kind of hostilities.

"Only a political solution remains the viable option for a comprehensive and lasting peace to the conflict in Darfur," it added.

On Monday, a group of armed Arab militia attacked the cattle market in al-Fashir, where they opened fire and harassed people.

Five unarmed soldiers of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), the former rebel group that signed a peace accord with the Sudanese government in May, were shot when they attempted to intervene.

Two of the SLM soldiers were killed and three others were injured, while two Arab militiamen also died and an unknown number of the militia were wounded.

A quick intervention of the AMIS Forces succeeded in preventing further escalation of the fighting.

Source: Xinhua