S. Sudan rebels say 13 killed in ambush on government troops
March 19, 2015 (BENTIU) – South Sudanese rebels say they have killed 13 government soldiers in an ambush on Tuesday at Unity state’s Nyabol Kubur.
In an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune, Lt.Col Peter Riek Gew the ambush also left nine soldiers seriously injured.
Gew has confirmed that another four vehicles from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) were set on fire.
He told Sudan Tribune the ambush took place just 10km north of a UN compound housing over 50,000 vulnerable citizens who were forced to abandon homes in Bentiu and surrounding villages.
Gew has accused pro-government forces of continuing to violate a cessation of hostilities agreement.
He said the ambush came after several attempted attacks on rebel positions at various locations in the state, adding that rebel forces were ready to strike should the attacks continue.
“We have been patient all these times and patience cannot be on one side, but at the moment we are ready to strike them,” said Gew.
He also accused the SPLA of carrying out attacks on civilians inside the UN compound following their heavy losses in the ambush.
“It is a shame for pro-government [forces] to attacks the civilians they claim for protection,” he said.
Meanwhile, the United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has strongly condemned the shooting of civilians inside a protection site in Bentiu.
South Sudan’s warring parties have sbeen on the offensive after peace talks in the Ethiopia capital, Addis Ababa, collapsed.
(ST)