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Western Equatoria state authorities said on Monday that at least one soldier was killed and four others were injured in three incidents in Yambio over the past week.
An armed group clashed with the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSDF) on the outskirts of Yambio on Sunday evening, resulting in casualties among civilians and members of the armed forces, the Minister of State for Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies, James Morris Saverino, told Radio Tamazuje in Yambio.
“An incident occurred in Yambio at about 8pm yesterday when a group of unidentified gunmen clashed with regular troops near Macia, Yambio. Two soldiers and two civilians were injured and security agents are still working to identify those involved,” Savrino said.
“We had a safety meeting this morning and we are still trying to find out what happened because this is not the only incident.
“Last Wednesday, a soldier was shot dead in Suksilo by a person who is now in custody. Early this morning, a bodyguard of the governor’s office manager was shot dead at around 5am. The guards tried to shoot at the soldiers as they were moving around the office manager’s house. The soldiers returned fire, killing and injuring some who are currently receiving treatment in hospitals,” he explained.
The minister, however, said the three incidents were not linked.
“The difference between the two is that the suspect in Wednesday’s incident in Suxillo has been arrested, while the suspect in the incident that occurred at 8 p.m. yesterday has not yet been identified,” Savrino said.
He called on residents to cooperate with soldiers on the streets because their targets were not civilians but people walking around with guns.
However, the People’s Freedom Movement (PFM) and a rebel group led by a comedian popularly known as “Feel Free” claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.
The statement read: “The Pakistan People’s Movement wishes to congratulate its gallant troops in Yambio, Western Equatoria. Under the command of Charles Tombula Joseph, they launched a surprise attack in Suk Siro, killing one soldier and injuring another. In the morning, they attacked the airstrip in Yambio. This evening at around 10 pm, they again attacked nine government soldiers near Suk Masia, killing nine government soldiers.”
“The government must feel the influence of PFM across the 10 states of South Sudan. We represent not our personal interests but the interests of the forgotten children of the heroes of the people of the Republic of South Sudan.”
SSPDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said he was not aware of the incident in Yambio and said he was still in contact to get more information.
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