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South Sudan clashes: Dozens killed in Jonglei state | South Sudan clashes: Dozens killed in Jonglei state |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Gunmen have killed at least 51 people - mostly women and children - in the latest clashes in South Sudan's troubled Jonglei state, regional governor Kuol Manyang has said. | Gunmen have killed at least 51 people - mostly women and children - in the latest clashes in South Sudan's troubled Jonglei state, regional governor Kuol Manyang has said. |
At least 22 others were injured after attackers raided and burned the village of Duk Padiet, he added. | At least 22 others were injured after attackers raided and burned the village of Duk Padiet, he added. |
The wounded have been evacuated to Juba, the capital, he said. | The wounded have been evacuated to Juba, the capital, he said. |
A series of retaliatory attacks between ethnic groups in the region has displaced tens of thousands of people. | A series of retaliatory attacks between ethnic groups in the region has displaced tens of thousands of people. |
"We are expecting more to be injured because they ran to the villages last night," Mr Manyang said. | "We are expecting more to be injured because they ran to the villages last night," Mr Manyang said. |
Officials told AFP news agency the killings were carried out by the Murle group on ethnic Dinkas, as revenge for a deadly raid last month on the town of Pibor. | Officials told AFP news agency the killings were carried out by the Murle group on ethnic Dinkas, as revenge for a deadly raid last month on the town of Pibor. |
It is understood that some Dinkas accompanied some 6,000 Lou Nuer warriors who attacked Pibor. | It is understood that some Dinkas accompanied some 6,000 Lou Nuer warriors who attacked Pibor. |
The cycle of violence has lasted months and killed hundreds of people. It began as cattle raids but has spiralled out of control. | The cycle of violence has lasted months and killed hundreds of people. It began as cattle raids but has spiralled out of control. |
BBC East Africa correspondent Will Ross says the attacks are getting increasingly violent and neither the government nor the United Nations peacekeepers seem capable of stopping them. | |
Officials point out that Jonglei is the size of Bangladesh and that it is impossible to protect every village. | |
Some of the reinforcements sent to the region have been deployed in Murle areas around Pibor but the revenge attacks are now happening in Dinka and Lou Nuer communities. | |
South Sudan, which gained independence last year, has declared Jonglei a national "disaster area", while the UN has launched an emergency operation to help those affected by the fighting. | South Sudan, which gained independence last year, has declared Jonglei a national "disaster area", while the UN has launched an emergency operation to help those affected by the fighting. |