SPLA accuses SAF of continued air raid in South Sudan
March 27, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese army (SPLA) has again accused the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) from neighbouring Sudan of allegedly carrying out fresh air attacks on Saturday in the Upper Nile region.
The Sudanese army however denied the accusation, saying SAF had not carried out any attacks in the South Sudan’s territory.
But spokesperson of the South Sudanese army issued another press statement on Sunday, saying the air raids by SAF had continued in the area with more bombs dropped this time.
“On 26/3/2016, Sudan Air Force carried out fresh aerial bombardments at Babaneis the same SPLA military outpost it bombed on 24/3/2016,” SPLA spokesman, Brigadier General Lul Ruai Koang said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.
“The enemy warplanes conducted two sorties: 1.The first sortie was by an Antonov and it took place at 2:50pm whereas 2. The 2nd sortie was carried out at 7:30PM. A total of 24 bombs were dropped,” Koang said.
However, he added that no human lives were lost but some livestock were killed that included four goats, one donkey and a section of round defence electrified barbed wire was destroyed.
“This time, SPLA’s robust air defence capability was used and as result, the enemy’s warplanes flew back in haste and under hell of fire,” the statement said.
Koang however lamented that it was “regrettable that the Sudanese warplanes deliberately targeted civilians’ livelihoods and means of transport”; a move he said could be interpreted as planned depopulation of communities at the border through induced hunger.
Relations between Sudan and South Sudan have deteriorated recently after renewed counter-accusations of support of either country’s rebel forces by the other.
While Khartoum accuses South Sudan of harbouring, supporting and arming Sudanese rebels, Juba on the other hand accuses Sudan of supporting its rebels.
(ST)