The UN has warned of a threatening large scale conflict following news of clashes between Arab and non-Arab tribes in South Darfur over the weekend.

At least 36 people have been confirmed dead and several dozens wounded after disputes broke out on Saturday between the Arab Taisha and ethnic African Fallata tribes in the remote Um Dafuq area of South Darfur, witnesses said.

The official news agency SUNA said calm was restored in the areas on Monday as military forces were deployed to the areas of clashes to resolve the conflict.

Similar conflicts is known to erupt in South Sudan most times over land and access to water. It is not immediately clear what caused the recent dispute.

The vast Darfur region, located in western Sudan, has been the scene of similar bouts of violence in recent months.

In April, at least 132 people were killed in West Darfur fighting between members of the Massalit tribe and Arab communities, forcing authorities to impose a state of emergency.

In January, renewed clashes between Arab and non-Arab tribes in the West and South Darfur regions killed more than 250 people.

The violence came as Sudan navigates a rocky transition following the toppling of longtime President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019, after mass protests against his rule.