32 killed in deadly cross-border communal clashes in Abyei near South Sudan

At least 32 people have been confirmed killed on Sunday in deadly communal fighting along
South Sudan’s border with the disputed Abyei Administrative Area.
Arou Manyiel Arou, secretary general in the office of the administrator for the Abyei
Administrative Area, said that the violence erupted at 6 A.M on Sunday following a revenge
attack on Ngok Dinka in Wuncuei and Nyiel areas of Abyei Adminstrative Area by armed
youth from Twic County of neighboring Warrap state.
Arou said the attackers who came from Ajak-Kuach area of Twic County were aided by
suspected soldiers of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), according to eye
witnesses.
“Some of the attackers were seen by residents clad in the South Sudan People’s Defense
Forces uniforms,” he told Juba Echo by phone.
“Many people including children and women have been killed and 27 are wounded,” he
added.
The latest revenge attack comes after last week’s clashes in Ayuok area of Twic County
between the two sides, left 34 people killed including one SSPDF soldier.
The two communities have been contesting for years the ownership of a strip of land in
Aneet border area, which separates the two communities.
Abyei Administrative Area remains a contested area, between South Sudan and it’s neighbor
Sudan which is currently mired in conflict since April 15.