A rights group said it gathered evidence that both SPLA soldiers and Johnson Olony’s rebels did not take necessary measures to protect civilians during their clashes in Owatchi village, south of Malakal.
Human Rights Watch Senior researcher for Sudan Jehanne Henry told journalists yesterday that the group collected testimonies confirming that soldiers fired at civilians while they were fighting the rebels.She said eye witnesses and members of the military admitted that soldiers fired indiscriminately at civilians who were escaping the fighting.
Ms. Henry added both SPLA and rebels failed to take necessary measures not to harm unprotected civilians.
She said the rebels mixed up with the civilians and attracted many to join them ahead of an integration plan.
Ms. Henry added that indiscriminate shooting at civilians is against international law in armed conflicts.
She urged the government to investigate the abuses against civilians in order to make sure they will not happen again.