An armed cattle keepers in South Sudan - Courtesy

Authorities in Warrap State say 13 people have been killed and 14 others wounded in renewed intercommunal violence in Tonj South and Tonj North counties between Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

The incidents, which occurred during separate cattle raids in Tonj North County and Tonj South, also led to the looting of more than 250 head of cattle and an unspecified number of goats, according to state officials.

Speaking to Eye Radio this morning, Warrap State Information Minister Wol Mayom Bol said the deadliest attack occurred at a cattle camp located about five kilometres from Tonj Town.

Mayom said armed criminals targeted an area near a police post, killing 10 people, including three members of the organized forces who were reportedly shot dead inside their homes. One of the dead was identified as an attacker.

“The perpetrators, suspected to be armed criminals from the Muok community of Tonj South, targeted Ameth-cok, a location near a police post. The assault resulted in 10 confirmed fatalities: nine were local residents and members of the organized forces, while one was identified as an attacker,” Wol explained.

Nine others were wounded, including a woman and a six-year-old girl.

The assailants also raided 118 cattle and an unknown number of goats before fleeing the area.

“Among the victims were three uniformed personnel who were killed in their homes. Additionally, nine individuals were wounded, including a woman and a six-year-old girl. Beyond the human toll, the attackers successfully raided 118 head of cattle and an unidentified number of goats,” the official added.

Mayom added that security forces attempted to intervene but were overwhelmed by the attackers due to their numbers.

Following the incident, Warrap State authorities convened an emergency security meeting chaired by Governor Bol Wek.

The meeting directed security forces, including police, to deploy to Tonj Town to restore order and oversee security operations in the area.

The state government has since declared a security emergency in the town, authorized the deployment of additional forces, and imposed a one-week curfew to stabilize the situation and pursue those responsible.

Meanwhile, four other people were killed and five others injured in a separate cattle raid in Tonj North County on 19 May 2026.

According to Tonj North County Commissioner Agany Lok, suspected cattle raiders attacked a cattle camp and looted 133 cattle.

“In Tonj North, actually, there was an attack carried out by the LEER community. The Leer community went to Noi community and attacked Noi and raided some cattle. 133 head of cattle were raided and four people were killed and five others were wounded,” Commissioner Lok said.

The commissioner said the situation has since been brought under control through government intervention and ongoing security measures.

“That incident took place on 19th May 2026. The government has actually intervened. As we speak now, I’m currently in Tonj North but travelling to the area where the attackers came from. So now, as we speak, I was just travelling yesterday from Tonj North to Tonj South because there is no road from Warrap to Kiirik,” he added.

Commissioner Lok appealed for calm among residents as negotiations and security interventions continue.