Rebels attacked three villages in Jonglei state yesterday, killing nine people and setting many houses on fire.
Army spokesperson Col. Phillip Aguer Panyang told CRN News over the phone that forces loyal to renegade Commander George Athor targeted the villages of Atar, Door and Diir due to the limited number of police officers posted there.He said nine people were killed, including one child who was burnt to death, five other civilians, one SPLA soldier and two police officers.
Col. Aguer said Athor’s forces act like terrorist groups targeting civilians to get the means they need to survive.
population is scattered and the roads are very bad during the rainy season making it very difficult for the army to protect civilians.
Col. Aguer confirmed that several attempts to persuade Athor to another round of peace talks were fruitless.
A representative of Athor signed a ceasefire with the army early this year but the rebels broke it after one month when they attacked an SPLA base in Jonglei state.
George Athor remains one of the most active rebel leaders in South Sudan. He has led a rebellion for almost two years after losing the election for Jonglei state Governor to Kuol Manyang Juuk in April of last year.