3/2/2026 | USA | world | ✓ Verified - pbs.org

169 people killed, including women and children, after insurgents raid a village in a remote area of South Sudan

#South Sudan violence #Riek Machar #Salva Kiir #Civil war #UNMISS #Abiemnom county #Ruweng administrative area #Peace agreement

📌 Key Takeaways

At least 169 people, including women and children, were killed in an insurgent raid on a South Sudanese village
The attack is part of escalating violence between government forces and opposition forces loyal to Riek Machar
UNMISS reported 1,000 civilians sought shelter at their base following the attack
The massacre threatens the fragile 2018 peace agreement that ended South Sudan's five-year civil war
Machar denies responsibility for the attack, claiming his group has no presence in the area

📖 Full Retelling

At least 169 people, including women and children, were killed after insurgents raided a village in Abiemnom county of Ruweng administrative area in South Sudan on Sunday, March 1, 2026, as part of an escalating wave of violence between government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and armed men believed to be loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar. The attack, described as a coordinated and organized assault by local officials, targeted civilians and combatants alike, with James Monyluak, information minister for Ruweng, confirming that 90 civilians were among the dead. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported that approximately 1,000 people sought shelter at its base following the violence, with 23 others wounded. UNMISS official Anita Kiki Gbeho condemned the attack, stating 'such violence places civilians at grave risk and must stop immediately' and urged all parties to engage in dialogue. The massacre represents a dangerous escalation in South Sudan's fragile peace, which has been deteriorating since President Kiir removed his deputy Riek Machar from office in September 2025 after facing criminal charges. Machar, currently under house arrest in Juba, has denied responsibility for the attack, asserting his group 'has no military presence in the area concerned.' The violence threatens the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war, with a U.N. inquiry finding that South Sudan's leaders are 'systematically dismantling' that agreement. The conflict has already displaced an estimated 280,000 people, with aid groups warning that restricted access to opposition-held areas is endangering civilian lives.

🏷️ Themes

Civil conflict, Humanitarian crisis, Peace agreement collapse

📚 Related People & Topics

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Salva Kiir Mayardit

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