Juba: South Sudan’s rebel have killed at least 24 soldiers and wounded many others on Thursday in Jonglei state, officials said on Sunday.
The soldiers were sent to investigate sightings of rebel leader David Yau Yau, who split from South Sudan’s army (SPLA) in April, according to AFP.
“There were 24 reported killed from the SPLA and 12 wounded, and there are about 17 missing,” Jonglei governor Kuol Manyang said.
He said it had taken time for the survivors to trek out from the remote area to report it.
“It was a small force that was sent to confirm that David Yau Yau was in the area… and then they were attacked by men in uniform joined by some armed civilians,” Manyang said.
Human Rights Watch on Thursday said it had reports of “soldiers shooting at civilians, and ill-treating them by beatings, tying them up with rope, and submerging their heads in water to extract information about the location of weapons”.
UNMISS said Friday that security in Jonglei had “significantly improved”, but also reported “alleged violations” by soldiers including killings, torture and rapes.
But Manyang said that stories of “atrocities” in Pibor were overblown.
“That is not confirmed. It hasn’t been investigated. It could be the actions of individuals while there are 8,000 soldiers there,” he said.
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