Rebels forced out of Duk county in Jonglei: MP

March 12, 2014 (JUBA) – Anti-government forces aligned to former vice president Riek Machar moved out of Jonglei state’s Duk county on Monday, a lawmaker representing the war-ravaged area has told Sudan Tribune.

Philip Thon Leek, the MP representing Duk county in the South Sudan legislative assembly, said local youth forced rebel fighters from Duk Payuel Payam [district] and that fighting continued late Monday 8 March as both sides fought running battles.

“They were attacked on night of March 8 and they started burning all the shelters in Duk Payuel, including a medical clinic,” he said.

“Whatever they cannot carry and see it as useful to people behind them, they destroy it either by burning or breaking it,” added Leek.

Two people, including a woman, were killed in the incident and three injured, according to the lawmaker.

No information has, however, emerged from the anti-government forces – the SPLM/A-In-Opposition regarding the fighting.

Due the security situation and remoteness of the area, Sudan Tribune could not independently verify the claims. Also, the SPLM/A-In-Opposition spokesman did not respond despite several attempts to reach him for a comment on Wednesday.

Duk county authorities alleged that anti-government forces started attacking the villages on February 24, forcing 68,000 people to leave their homes.

The county’s lawmaker further said the rebels fled towards Ayod area in Jonglei.

(ST)

• S. Sudan charity urges rebels to protect development projects