Over 250 people killed in South Sudan’s Jonglei state: official
August 23, 2016 (BOR) – About 280 people were killed in the fighting which occurred in Duk county of South Sudan’s Jonglei state last week, an official told Sudan Tribune.
The incident has reportedly forced hundreds of civilians to flee from Pajut to Poktap towards Twic East county.
“People had been forced to run away and retreated back to Poktap. Second is the looting of their properties by the attackers and the killing of innocent civilians”, said Aguer
“Among the dead, who were killed in Pajut, there are women, there are children and the number in total is 33. 23 are soldiers and 10 are civilians that include business people, include women and that is the bad side of the war”, he added.
The governor said he expects the numbers of rebels killed to rise by the time the search ends.
“The SPLA [Sudan People’s Liberation Army] has defeated the attackers, and they [rebels] lost heavily. Unfortunately those who are dying are sons and daughters of South Sudan on both sides. The forces of Riek Machar had left 250 dead, and the number may be more, search has not been completed”, Aguer told Sudan Tribune.
Calm has reportedly returned to the area, despite the fighting that occurred on 19 August, amidst calls by authorities for civilians to return home and resume their normal activities.
Meanwhile, five other people were reportedly killed between Panyagoor and Poktap, by suspected Lou Nuer fighters who allegedly came on a mission to loot cattle on 20 August.
(ST)