Fourteen people, including four soldiers, were killed in clashes between rival clans over cattle-grazing land in South Sudan’s troubled Jonglei state, officials said on Thursday.
According to Jonglei state’s minister of information, Akech Dengdit, at the moment, they have confirmed 14 people dead and 16 others wounded.
“Among the dead are 10 armed youth and four soldiers.
“The four soldiers from the South Sudan army were killed in the crossfire while trying to stop the clashes.
“The death toll might rise further because many vulnerable people, mainly women and children, had fled their homes during the attack,’’ Dengdit added.
In 2017, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir declared a state of emergency in some parts of the country over cattle raids and clan violence.
Tribal clashes, cattle rustling and abduction of children to work as servants are common in Jonglei.
In December, some 25 people were killed in clashes over land ownership.
South Sudan is also in the midst of a civil war, which broke out in 2013 when Kiir fired his deputy, Riek Machar.
dpa/NAN
