Deserters were blamed for a cattle raid that killed nine people last Saturday in Eastern Equatoria.
Army spokesperson Philip Aguer said a group of soldiers deserted from Boma one week ago and were responsible for the cattle raid and the attack on the army in Budi County.He said when the group learned that the state government was sending force to the area and they ambushed them, killing nine people including soldiers.
Col Aguer explained that about 80 deserters from Jonglei state were arrested.
The spokesperson said the army commander in Eastern Equatoria was sending a force to investigate allegations that the army was involved in human rights violations in Budi.
BBC said the army killed four nurses, one doctor and one patient at Lorema clinic.
CRN contact the Catholic Diocese of Torit that ran the clinic to confirm the casualties.
Vinny Burg who works for Radio Emmanuel said there was no doctor working in Lorema and so far he could only confirm the death of one nurse.