KHARTOUM, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Friday expressed regret over the United States' warning for its citizens against travelling to certain areas in Sudan over terrorist threats.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses regret over the warning issued by the U.S State Department Thursday for its nationals against travelling to Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions under claims of risk of terrorist threats, armed conflict and violent crimes," said Sudan's foreign ministry in a statement Friday.
"This regular warning has been characterized by inaccuracy and contradiction with the U.S acknowledgement of the progress achieved in combating terrorism within the five-track plan and the statements and many commendations by senior U.S officials and concerned bodies regarding Sudan's great efforts in counter-terrorism," the statement noted.
It further said that the warning came at a time when Sudan is witnessing positive political and security atmospheres that received appreciation and support from many countries and regional and international organizations including the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League.
The ministry reiterated Sudan's commitment to cooperate with the international community in combating terrorism and enhancing the regional security.
The Sudanese foreign ministry urged its U.S. counterpart to revise its negative statements and warnings and work to continue its role in boosting the positive high-level bilateral dialogue to complete normalization of relations for the interests of the two countries' peoples.
On Thursday, the United States warned its citizens against the risk of terrorist and criminal attacks in certain areas in Sudan, asking them " to avoid travelling to the Darfur states, Blue Nile state, and South Kordofan."
On Oct. 6, the United States decided to lift its economic sanctions on Sudan permanently, but kept listing it one of the countries sponsoring terrorism.
The Sudanese government has been fighting rebel groups in Darfur since 2003. It has also been fighting the rebels of Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector in South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas since 2011.
The Sudanese government, since 2016, has been renewing cease-fire at the conflict zones in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan.
