KHARTOUM, Oct. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The African Union Mission in Sudan(AMIS) announced on Sunday that armed men in the country's western region of Darfur abducted 18 of its personnel and took them hostage.

    Jean-Baptiste Natama, the acting head of the AMIS, said the hostages included military observers, civil police, a US representative in the mission and a representative of the Sudan Liberation Movement, a main Darfur rebel group.

    He said that the AU has sent a rescue team to Attina bordering Chad after the abduction took place in the area, pointing out that no information was received on the abductors' identity.

    AU officials described the incident as "serious and regrettable" and warned of a comprehensive revision for their operations in Darfur.

    The incident occurred one day after two Nigerian soldiers from AU peacekeepers in Darfur were reportedly killed and three others wounded in an ambush conducted by unknown people in Khor-Abbuchi area in south Darfur state.

    AU spokesman Noureddine Muzni said that a quick investigation has been launched to identify the criminals, describing the incident as "very dangerous."

    The sixth round of peace talks began last month between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebel groups in Nigeria to try to end a conflict in Darfur.

    Last week, the AU accused Sudanese government forces of carrying out what appeared to be coordinated attacks in Darfur along with the Janjaweed militia, a charge denied by the Sudanese government.

    AU forces arrived in Darfur last year and formed an initial force of 500, the contingent has grown to about 6,200 under financial and logistical support from the European Union, the United States and others. Enditem