Six people were killed and 35 others were wounded in separate incidents in the disputed region Abyei. Authorities from Abyei and Twic exchanged accusations on Sunday, claiming that armed youth from both regions engaged in clashes in Juol-Jook, Agok West, and Majak Deng Kaya villages.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, Abyei’s Minister of Information, Bulis Koch, accused armed youth from Twic County in Warrap state of launching attacks. Koch claimed that the armed youths, believed to be backed by forces led by Gen. Gai Machiek, targeted Athony-Ayuok, Agok West, Juol Jook, and Majak Deng Kaya on both Saturday and Sunday.

“Armed youth from Twic County attacked these three places on Sunday between 5 o’clock and 12 o’clock local time. Two people died, and 15 were wounded. The incident on Saturday in Athony-Ayuok left seven injured, with no fatalities. This morning, two youths were killed, one from Juol Jook village, where four people were injured. Five individuals with injuries are from Majak Deng Kaya, but one succumbed to injuries in the hospital on the same day, bringing the total number of fatalities to two,” Koch explained.

He also mentioned that the wounded individuals in Juol Jook village, who were caught in an ambush, are now in stable condition.

“According to information I received from locals, the individuals injured in the Juol Jook incident, unfortunately caught in an ambush this Sunday morning, are all stable. However, two of them are in severe condition, with one requiring a blood donation due to excessive bleeding,” he further stated.

Minister Bulis emphasized that Abyei youth successfully repelled the attackers, restoring normalcy to the situation. He explained that Twic armed youth were pushed back by the local youth towards Tong-liet village, heading back in the direction of Twic County. Bulis insisted that the attackers are from Twic County and are believed to be part of the Tit Weng (cattle defense force).

“There are dead bodies found from the attackers in the Juol Jook incident, but notably, none of them were wearing SSPDF uniforms. They were dressed in civilian clothes and had their heads wrapped with robes, resembling the attire of Sudanese militias (Thorboro) and Afghanistan army groups,” the minister stated.

Simon Aguek, Twic County commissioner, confirmed the incident and claimed that Abyei armed youth, backed by Nuer armed youth, attacked his village.

“The border relations between Twic County and Abyei are very strained. Yesterday, Saturday, UNISFA came to Athony, spoke to Twic armed youth, and departed without problems. However, this morning [Sunday], fighting erupted in the Juol-Jook area near Aneet and continued until 11:00 am. My side suffered two dead and ten wounded, with the injured individuals taken to Mayen Abun hospital,” he said.

Aguek added, “Our border with Aweil is peaceful; these are Nuer armed youth who came from Mayom County of Unity and joined forces with Abyei armed youth to attack my area. SSPDF forces are very close to where the fighting occurred, and I don't understand why they didn't intervene,” he expressed concern.

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