At least nine people were killed and 3 others wounded in an attack in Mayom County of Unity State, according to the deputy army spokesperson Brigadier General Malaak Ayuen Ajok.
The spokesman told UN Radio Miraya that civilians were in a convoy traveling to Bentiu when they came under attack over the weekend. He blamed the attack on anti-government forces, saying it was a violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement.
Brig-Gen. Malaak specified that the attack took place on Saturday between Thor-al-abyad and Thomor, targeting several trucks moving to Bentiu with goods, killing nine people and wounding three.
“They are laying some ambushes along that road which is connecting Bahr El Ghazal and Bentiu,” he said, referring to the only road open into other government-held territories, owing to the presence of opposition forces in southern Unity State and western Upper Nile.
Last week it was also reported that a truck was attacked on Wednesday also on the Mayom-Bentiu road, resulting in six civilians killed, while other attacks took place on the same road and on the Abiemnhom-Mayom road.
Radio Miraya quoted an opposition spokesman as denying the attack and pointing out instead that the government had conducted offensives in Leer and Koch counties in the same state.
The ambushes nonetheless are threatening market stability and army provisioning in the state owing to the collapse of the local economy since the outbreak of conflict last December. However, Unity State is also serviced by several air fields, including those used formerly by oil companies that left in December.
Related coverage:
Government assessing massive damage in Bentiu, says situation ‘very bad’ (14 Jan.)
Unity State economy in collapse as traders flee to Abiemnhom (1 Jan.)
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