A group of militia led by Abelbagi Ayii in South Sudan’s Aweil East State has claimed responsibility for the killing of three government soldiers in clashes on Wednesday afternoon in the state.

Col. Deng Maring, spokesperson of the armed group, told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that they killed three government soldiers and captured five others during fighting in Aweil East State.

“About 200 SPLA forces attacked our position, but they fell into an ambush laid by our forces, we killed three from their side and captured five others,” said Deng.

Deng pointed out that the clashes between the two sides continued for two hours, while accusing government troops of harassing civilians who cross to Sudan.

Tens of thousands of citizens of the Northern Bahr al Ghazal area have been migrating north into East Darfur and West Kordofan due to hunger and lack of opportunities in their home state.