Story highlights Ethiopia government says 100 children were kidnapped and more than 200 people killed

Cross-border raids are common in region, where people battle for land, other resources

Communications minister vows to stop raids from militants coming from South Sudan

(CNN) Ethiopia's government says more than 200 people have been killed and 100 children have been kidnapped in cross-border raids from South Sudan in March and April.

The most significant attack took place Friday when, according to the government, 182 civilians were killed in 13 kebeles, or neighborhoods. In addition, 2,000 cattle have been stolen, according to the government's communications department.

A government statement blames armed militants of South Sudan's Murle tribe for having "infiltrated" across the border between the two countries. Those targeted in the raids were from the Nuer ethnic group, which straddles the border.

It is believed the children were kidnapped to act as workers. Cross-border raids are fairly common in this region, where people battle for livestock, land and resources such as water and grazing rights.

The government expressed outrage and vowed to take action, declaring two days of mourning. Ethiopian forces are reported to have killed 60 of the attackers, the government said, but the total number of attackers is not known.

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