At least 169 people were killed in a massacre in northern South Sudan, local officials said Monday, describing one of the deadliest attacks in the country in recent years.
The violence erupted when armed men stormed Abiemnhom County in the Ruweng Administrative Area, according to regional information minister James Monyluak. He said the attackers came from neighboring Unity State and targeted civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. “A total of 169 bodies have been laid to rest in a mass grave,” added Elizabeth Achol, the area’s health minister.
The killings have drawn shock and condemnation across South Sudan, where fragile peace efforts continue after years of civil war. Humanitarian groups warned that the attack underscores worsening insecurity and the vulnerability of communities caught in cycles of revenge violence.
Residents described scenes of devastation, with families mourning loved ones and entire villages left traumatized. “We are burying our people in silence, but the pain is too heavy,” one community elder told reporters.
International observers say the massacre highlights the urgent need for stronger protection of civilians and renewed dialogue among rival groups. The United Nations has called for accountability, while aid organizations expressed concern about the safety of their staff after reports that humanitarian workers have also gone missing in nearby Jonglei State.
For many South Sudanese, the tragedy is a grim reminder of how fragile peace remains. As families grieve, officials warn that without swift intervention, the violence risks spreading further across the region.
