Nine killed, six wounded in attacks in Ruweng

At least nine people have been killed and six wounded in attacks on two locations in South Sudan’s Ruweng Administrative Area, the area’s caretaker government said, blaming armed youth from neighbouring Unity State.

The attacks took place at about 11 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, in Bhal Payam in Lake-No County and Pochod Boma in Alilang Payam, Aliny County, according to Tony Chol Ayat, Ruweng’s caretaker minister of information.

Tony told Radio Tamazuj that nine people were killed and six wounded in the attacks. He said local youth pursued the attackers following the cattle raids, but his account of the casualties during the pursuit was unclear.

“In Bhal Payam, two men, one young woman and one child were among those wounded, along with two other women,” he said.

He added that 501 head of cattle were raided, five cattle byres were destroyed and 15 huts were burned.

In Pochod Boma, two men were killed, 471 head of cattle were raided, and four cattle byres and one hut were burned, Tony said.

“Nine additional huts at the petroleum protection barracks in Nyoklith were also burned,” he said.

Tony blamed armed youth from the Bul and Leek communities of Unity State for the attacks.

“We extend our condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he said.

However, Nyakenya Johannes Keah Ruai, Unity State’s caretaker minister of information, told Radio Tamazuj that authorities are still investigating the incident and had not established the identities of those responsible.

“We’re still trying to find out exactly who those people who carried out the attacks. So if you may bear with us, let us do the investigation first,” she said.

Ruai said Unity State officials had spoken to county commissioners in Ruweng and dispatched a force to establish what had happened on the ground.

Violence involving communities in Ruweng and neighbouring areas has recurred in recent months.

Earlier this month, at least eight people were killed and seven others injured in an armed attack on Panlou village near Pariang town in Ruweng Administrative Area.