RUMBEK — Government assessments place the death toll from civilian clashes in Lakes State at seventy-one, including four soldiers.
Fighting began in Rumbek at dawn on Friday following violence in Nyangkot village on Thursday that killed four people. The violence spread into residential neighborhoods and forced residents to flee toward Ronga, Cueiadukan, and Adol.
The Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services stated that casualty figures remain unverified pending security assessments. The dead soldiers include a captain and three non-commissioned officers. Officials omitted a breakdown of civilian deaths.
Joint units from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, the National Security Service, and the national police deployed to the area and restored order. Authorities arrested four civilians and recovered four firearms, placing suspects in military custody for investigation.
The government condemned the violence, urged communities to exercise restraint, appealed against retaliatory actions, and offered condolences to families. Intercommunal clashes, cattle raiding, and revenge attacks challenge security across Lakes State.
