S. Sudan rebels accused of killing 8 people in Warrap state
July 4, 2014 (KUAJOK) – South Sudanese army (SPLA) said an attack allegedly carried by rebels left eight people dead and 11 others wounded in its border state of Warrap on Wednesday.
“Eight people, including six soldiers were killed. 11 people suffered injures, eight soldiers and three civilians”, Aguer said Friday.
“The SPLA managed to protect the properties of the civilians which was the target and the attackers were defeated and they left heavy casualties behind,” he added.
Aguer said the attackers came from Unity state, a region which changed hands several times between the rebels and government forces at the height of the country’s ongoing conflict.
Sudan Tribune could not indefinitely verify the army’s claims as effort to reach the rebels were unsuccessful.
The attack, the first after several weeks of calm, comes days after mediators overseeing talks between South Sudan’s warring parties indefinitely suspended the ongoing peace talks.
Aguer says government army bases in Upper Nile and Jonglei states are also under threat of an imminent attack by opposition forces.
“The rebels have been mobilizing and they are now moving to attack SPLA positions in Nassir and Ayod and these are hostile activities altogether and our forces are on maximum alert though committed to maintain ceasefire,” said the army officer.
“But definitely they will fight if they are attack in defense of the constitution and in self defense,” he added.
(ST).