At least 30 individuals have been reported killed in clashes in the northern Ruweng Administrative Area of South Sudan, according to a local official.

The violence erupted when an armed youth group briefly overtook the town of Abiemnom following a cattle raid.

Simon Chol Mialith, the local Minister of Information, indicated that the incident began earlier in the week when armed youths stole lambs and were subsequently chased off by security forces.

However, they returned with greater numbers the following day and launched an attack on the settlement.

Reports suggest that both the armed youth and security forces engaged in defense during the confrontation.

On Wednesday, the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) managed to reclaim the town from the attackers, restoring a fragile calm to the area.

Mialith noted that the confirmed death toll has risen to 30, with over 40 others injured, though specific details about the casualties have not been disclosed.

Local media have stated that some of those killed may have been members of the attacking armed group, but this information remains unverified.

The violence comes at a time of heightened tension in South Sudan, where factions aligned with President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar have been clashing, raising regional concerns about the stability of the nation.

This unrest poses a threat to the peace agreement established in 2018 that aimed to end a five-year civil conflict.

Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has faced enduring instability and economic challenges, despite its significant oil resources.