BEIJING, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- According to foreign media reports, civilians recently clashed with guns in the Aal area of South Sudan's Lake State over land, killing at least 38 people and injuring 52 people as of the 1st local time.
The Associated Press reported that the Aare region is located in the northern part of Lakes State, while bordering the country's Warrap and Unity states. The clashes began on 31 January local time, and tensions remained high until the night of 1 February. Lakes State spokesman Makucci said that among the 38 dead, half were civilians in Warab and Lakes States; Of the 52 wounded, 17 were civilians from Warrap State and 35 were from Lake State.
Two weeks ago, herders from Warab State moved to the Aare region with their cattle to find pasture and water in the local wetlands, Makuchi said. During this time, the herders burned bushes and some temporary shelters for local residents.
Warab State Information Minister William Mayom said security forces had been sent to calm the situation and move herders away from the disputed wetlands. At present, the violence has subsided, but there are still small clashes in sparsely populated areas, and the situation cannot be fully verified.
According to reports, gun-owning among civilians in South Sudan is very common due to the long-standing war and intra-ethnic conflict. In August 2020, at least 118 people were killed in an altercation between the army and the local population over the seizure of illegal firearms. (ENDS).