169 killed in South Sudan youth attack as UN warns of surging violence

At least 169 people were killed and 50 others wounded when dozens of armed youth from neighboring Unity State launched a brutal assault on Abiemnom County in South Sudan's Ruweng Administrative Area early Sunday, Information Minister James Monyluak Mijok Thon told Anadolu. The attackers set markets and homes ablaze during the hours-long raid, which also claimed the lives of Awarpiny County Commissioner Paulino Wal Monychikat and Executive Director Mawien Majith.

Government Condemnation and Response

The Government of the Ruweng Administrative Area condemned what it termed "this barbaric action and policy of extermination in the strongest terms," describing the massacre as "equivalent to genocide" and intolerable. Authorities called on Unity State to bring the perpetrators to justice and hold the Mayom County Commissioner responsible for the coordinated attack on civilians and SSPDF forces. The army successfully repelled the attackers, with Abiemnom County authorities now in complete control. A three-day mourning period has been declared to honor the victims.

UN Mission Sounds Alarm

The UN Mission in South Sudan expressed alarm over the surging violence, reporting that unidentified armed youth attacked the county headquarters early Monday, wounding approximately 23 people. Peacekeepers are temporarily sheltering over 1,000 civilians within the UNMISS base and providing emergency medical care. "Such violence places civilians at grave risk and must stop immediately," said Anita Kiki Gbeho, officer in charge of UNMISS, urging all involved to cease hostilities and engage in constructive dialogue.