Pro-Juba forces attack rebel positions: spokesman
November 4, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese rebels led by former vice-president, Riek Machar, have accused government troops and allied militias of carrying out twin offensives on their defence positions in Jonglei and Upper Nile states.
Koang claimed that government forces deployed from the Upper Nile state’s capital, Malakal, riding in 12 speed boats used the White Nile to attack the rebels’ positions in Phom El Zaraf inside Jonglei state.
He said the government troops were however destroyed when they were spotted by the rebel forces, claiming that about 5 boats were sunk in the river with hundreds of government soldiers feared dead.
The opposition group’s spokesman further accused the government of attacking civilian settlements in Tangbwong village, adding that many woman and children were allegedly killed and their houses set ablaze before the attackers were repulsed.
“Secondary force crossed (White Nile River) from Tonga-Panyikang county, Upper Nile state and attacked civilians at Tangbwong village, killing women, children, elderly, raped girls, machine gunned livestock as well as set ablaze parts of the village. All the attacks on Tangbwong village and Phome El Zaraf were repulsed,” he said.
Koang further admitted that government troops took control of Khor Fulus town in Jonglei state for two days since Sunday before they were dislodged from the area.
He also accused government troops and their allied militias of deliberately killing and destroying civilians’ livelihoods in order to expose them to early hunger.
He called on local, regional and international human rights organizations to investigate and bring to justice those who committed these “heinous” crimes against civilians.
The military spokesman added that the renewed attacks on rebels’ positions showed government’s lack of commitment to the ongoing peace talks.
(ST)