JUBA, South Sudan (AP) – Soldiers believed to be with the South Sudanese army and allied militia stole relief supplies and killed seven people in an attack on a rebel-held part of Unity state, a local official said Thursday.
Monday’s attack on the village of Dablual forced some 35,000 civilians to flee into the bush and humanitarian workers to evacuate, said John Riek, the head of a local relief commission.
Col. Philip Aguer, the South Sudanese military spokesman, said he was unaware of the attack.
Dablual had 30,900 residents before the attack and more than 5,000 displaced people who had fled earlier attacks during a government offensive which began in late April, according to Riek.
“It’s serious. They have burned the area completely,” he said. “People are going to die because of hunger.”