Armed night raid in Jebel Iraq leaves scores dead

JUBA – Scores of civilians are feared dead following a late-night attack in Jebel Iraq, a gold mining area in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State, with authorities yet to confirm the exact number of casualties or identify those responsible.

According to local sources, unidentified gunmen opened fire overnight, targeting people in and around the mining area. Casualty figures remain unclear and unverified, with some reports suggesting more than 50 people were killed, while others place the toll above 70. No official figures have yet been released.

Conflicting accounts have also emerged over who carried out the attack. Some reports have linked the assailants to fighters affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), though this claim remains unconfirmed.

Civil society activist Edmund Yakani strongly condemned the killings, describing them as deliberate and targeted violence against civilians.

“In first place, categorically I condemn the incident; the incident constitutes a genocide, the incident constitutes a crime against humanity, because one particular ethnic group of our brothers and sisters from Dinka is targeted,” Yakani said.

He clarified that the attack did not occur at the mining site itself but at a nearby civilian market, raising further concerns about the targeting of non-combatants.

“The incident was at the side of civilians, which is a market… market is a civilians’ site that in any crisis is supposed to be protected, so the market was a target where these civilians were killed,” he added.

Yakani also questioned the apparent lack of preventive action by authorities despite earlier warnings from residents who had reportedly begun fleeing the area due to insecurity.

“People were complaining and leaving the area, going back to Juba because we are at risk. Why is there no deployment of state to protect this population?” he asked.

He called for an urgent investigation and a swift government response to prevent further loss of life.

Meanwhile, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) said it was still gathering information about the incident. Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said an officer had been dispatched to the area and that more details were expected later.

“So now there is no information, but they have sent an officer to a place where the incident took place… they said they will update by midday or after lunch because the place is a bit far,” Koang said.

He added that a joint government briefing would be issued once verified information becomes available.

In a separate statement, the SPLM/A-IO condemned the killings as “barbaric and unacceptable” and denied any involvement, instead accusing government forces of responsibility.

“The recent massacre in Jebel Iraq was, regrettably, foreseeable. It aligns with the documented policy of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) of carrying out pre-planned attacks against civilians residing near the front lines,” said Puok Both Baluang.

He further argued that the area falls under government control.

“Jebel Iraq lies within a zone that is entirely under the exclusive control of the SSPDF. Consequently, full responsibility for the massacre rests with the SSPDF forces that control the area,” he added.

The SPLM/A-IO has called for independent investigations, including involvement from international bodies such as the United Nations.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear. However, Jebel Iraq and the surrounding areas have recently experienced rising tensions linked to informal gold mining, with various groups competing for control of lucrative sites.

The incident underscores ongoing concerns about civilian safety in remote, resource-rich regions where state presence remains limited and accountability for violence is often lacking.