Gatdet’s rebels say they came under ‘attack’ in Mayom

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South Sudan rebels loyal to Gen. Peter Gatdet Yak said they came under attack from government forces in northern parts of Mayom County.

South Sudan rebels loyal to Gen. Peter Gatdet Yak said they came under attack from government forces in northern parts of Mayom County.

Gen. Peter Gatdet is leading a rebel group calling itself South Sudan United Movement (SSUM).

The rebel group, in a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj Saturday, said government troops launched fresh attacks on their defensive positions on Friday and Saturday in Panyilang, north of Mayom.

“They killed three 3 innocent civilians, two women and an 8-year-old boy,” the rebels said.

They pointed out that the attacks were repulsed, while accusing the government of violating the cessation of hostilities agreement signed in December 2017.

The group called on the international community to take tough measures to make peace in the Africa’s youngest nation.

SPLA’s spokesman Lul Ruai Koang could not immediately be reached for comment.

But Paulino Wal, the commissioner of Abiemnhom West County in Ruweng State, instead accused forces allied to Gen. Peter Gatdet of attacking Awarpiny, the headquarters of Abiemnhom West County.

“They killed the acting commander of the area called Manyang Kelei Jock, First Lieutenant Atem Kok Atem and two soldiers,” Paulino said.

“One child was wounded and two soldiers were also wounded,” he added.

The local official said the attack was launched by rebel forces loyal to Gen. Peter Gatdet on Saturday around 1:00 am.

“They killed people before they could run away. The attack was on our headquarters in Awarpiny. The attackers had come from Sudan, “he said.