S. Sudan’s Raja town attack claimed 74 lives: officials

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Elisabeth Janaina

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Apr 20, 2017, 12:30:08 PM4/20/17
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S. Sudan’s Raja town attack claimed 74 lives: officials

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April 19, 2017 (JUBA) - At least 74 people were killed when armed
opposition forces allied to South Sudan rebel leader, Riek Machar
attacked Raja, the Lol state administrative headquarter, last week.

JPEG - 56.2 kb
Rizik Zachariah Hassan, Governor of Lol state (UN photo)

Officials say three civilians and a number of government forces were
wounded. Several properties were also destroyed, as the town was
looted by rival forces when each side claimed to be in control.

In a statement issued Monday, Lol state information ministry commended
government forces for having stood their ground when the town was
attacked from three different directions.

“On behalf of the government of Lol state, we are grateful and
thankful to our gallant SPLA forces of division five (5) under the
command of Col. Albino Akol Mayuol. Their strong stand by repulsing
and destroyed the enemy fully and control situation”, it read in part.

The armed attackers, it claimed, suffered heavy casualties during last
week’s clashes.

“On the enemy side, 44 soldiers were killed in action at the barrack
and 15 were killed in the attack on the state house. The total of
those killed in action on enemy side is 59. On the government side, 4
soldiers were killed in action during a battle for control of the
military barrack and another killed in the state house. 10 civilians
were killed and 3 others wounded in the crossfire”, further noted the
statement.

According to the ministry’s statement, the attacking forces launched
came from three different directions and that while one group targeted
the military barrack, the other aimed at the governor’s residence,
whereas the third group planned to attack the market.

“The enemy size was about a battalion under command of Lt Col Mach
Tap, who was a corporal in division five (5) and joined the rebels
SPLM/A-IO in 2013,” the government said in its statement.

Sudan Tribune could not independently verify the authenticity of the
statement from the government while the armed opposition faction
remained tight-lipped on the matter.

Residents and observers told Sudan Tribune that several government
officials lost their lives when the town came under attack, expressing
fear that those killed on the government side could be higher than on
the opposition side.

Meanwhile, the United Nations mission in South Sudan has urged the
warring parties to silence guns and demonstrate responsibility as
violence escalates.

(ST)

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20 April 00:54, by Equatoria1

Once again Kiir have massacre more innocent lives of non Dinka.
Kiir,his militias(Mathiang Anyoors, and gangs of elders (JCE) are no
human but vampires who feed on non Dinka human blood. It is great the
world is getting to know this more clearer before we could make our
case against these gangs. IO gave you chance because they handled
their shit with emotion & also have ’control’ agenda.

repondre message
20 April 05:19, by South South

Even when it’s very clear to the world that OI attacked Raja
and killed innocent people, very dumb people still need help to know
that. I know now why they are fighting, they are dumb and they can be
used by anyone to fight senseless war. This is why I say government
should use both peace approach and war. We are fighting the dumbest
enemy.

repondre message
20 April 06:04, by padiit gaga

According observers not dinka S.S. side loss alote of soldiers
and Government officials were killed

repondre message
20 April 07:40, by PEACE FOR ALL

Ms. Equatoria1
you are mentally sick about Dinka. now in Raja issue, who
attached who? your tribal mentality will never hand you anything. it
is very clear that the rebels are the one attacking government but now
you are talking shit about Dinka. do not drag me into tribal comment.
I am a nationalist not tribal man like you

repondre message
20 April 16:37, by Equatoria1

Ms PEACE FOR ALL
What can you call yourself if you call me a ’mentally
sick’ given that you are nothing but Jenge!!!!
You brand me a tribal while you the Jenge are the one
carrying out ethnic cleansing & genocide against non Dinka now in
South Sudan??? Just shut your mouth before I insult you

repondre message
20 April 08:42, by Garang Akeen Tong

@Equatoria 1, you are An idiotic, pumpet of dump, when you
capture town you claim to be I.O. and when you badly defeated you turn
to be a civilian. What a mess.

repondre message
20 April 16:43, by Equatoria1

Garang Akiir or SHIT
Tell me when and where I mentioned to you that I am an IO.
Mind you IO or IG (whole shit of SPLM faction) is not by default. I am
talking about Jenge carrying genocide in South Sudan now yah bagara
inti

repondre message
20 April 05:45, by Kush Natives

Well done SPLA! Let those thugs faced it hard. In our history as
SPLA mainstream, we never attacked civilians markets, that mean, their
tactic was to overrun the market, so that they looted and rapes
whatever elder and children they caught. Things are creating a degree
of crimes! They MUST be taught.

repondre message
20 April 06:56, by SGT B2K

Kiir is about to exit the seat so start applying now, he is so
dumb. he found a hiding cage in kapoeta, tell him what happened to
saddam hussein

repondre message
20 April 08:39, by Lino Gai Akok

Work Well done SPLA. Keep depending the constition and elected
government.

repondre message
20 April 12:11, by Garang Akeen Tong

Peace must come to stop further bloodshed, we are very tired of
you rebel. Our people need peace not war.

repondre message
20 April 13:22, by Wau son

Attack on Raja Town:
Please read this .........."Residents and observers told Sudan
Tribune that several government officials lost their lives when the
town came under attack, expressing fear that those killed on the
government side could be higher than on the opposition
side.".......mark this and I was one of those eyewitness and
Observers.....
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