At least 15 people have been killed and several others injured in clashes in Nyirol County of Jonglei State on Wednesday, government officials said.

The clashes involved members of the Lou Nuer and their neighboring Murle community. The attack in Nyirol County comes amid reports of clashes in parts of the greater Pibor area since last week.

Daniel Both, the secretary general of the defunct Bieh State, told Radio Tamazuj that 15 people had been killed in Nyirol County. He accused the Murle community of launching the deadly attack.

“15 people were killed, including eight attackers.  12 people were injured and four of them were flown to Juba for treatment,” Both explained.

Michael Ruot Koryom, a lawmaker representing Nyirol County in the national assembly, confirmed the incident saying the locals are living in fear and panic after the attack.

The lawmaker appealed to the national government to intervene by stopping violent clashes in greater Pibor and Jonglei areas.

On Wednesday, the new presidency discussed the security situation in Jonglei State and Pibor area. President Salva Kiir and his five deputies condemned the violence that is taking place there.