More than 20 individuals, including high-ranking police, military, and national security officers, were killed in a new attack early Monday in Tarkuinq, Jur River County, in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
The assault, which occurred at 3 a.m., also resulted in the torching of shops and homes built with local materials. It is alleged that armed youths from Awok area in Warrap State carried out the attack.
Maj. Gen. Simon Yasi, the acting Police Chief of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, informed Radio Tamazuj that he visited the attack site on Monday morning with senior state officials led by the acting Governor, Arkangelo Anyar Anyar. He explained that the attackers targeted a police station.
“This Monday morning, an attack occurred in the Tarkuinq area, near the bridge, targeting the police protecting the police station. We lost several officers, including Police Colonel Qoodsino Owit, a military police officer, and others. We are currently at the scene in Tarkuinq, collecting bodies and treating the wounded,” Yasi said.
He further stated that the police would conduct a joint redeployment of police and military forces, issuing orders to fulfill their duties, which include protecting the lives and properties of the people.
“At present, we are redeploying soldiers to perform their duties, which include providing security and protecting civilians and their properties,” he added.
Arkangelo Anyar, the acting governor, condemned the attack and urged the Warrap State government to arrest the assailants and bring them to justice.
He described the attack as a violation of the presidential order issued last month, which called on the warring communities in Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal states to cease hostilities.
“This is a violation of the last order issued by the president on January 16, 2023. This is unacceptable, and we have come as a state to gather information and provide a report. People fled their homes at night, and this aggression will create instability between the two states. We urge Warrap State to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Anyar said.
William Woll Mioum, the Minister of Information of Warrap State, confirmed the incident. He stated that local officials are currently investigating the matter.
“Yes, I heard about the outbreak of conflict, but we need to investigate the root cause of the conflict between the Mrial Wu community in Jur River County and Awok Guer Thieek in Eastern Gogrial County of Warrap State,” Mioum said.
“We are working together as a government, and after the incident, we sent joint forces to the Tarkuinq area,” he added.
He reported that seven individuals from Warrap, including a woman, were killed during the attack, and others fled to the forest.
The border area between Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal states has witnessed periodic violence, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people since last year.
