World · Africa · 3 hrs ago
Clashes in South Sudan’s Ruweng region kill 23 and force thousands to flee
Fighting between South Sudan’s government and opposition forces killed 23 people in the northern Ruweng region over four weeks.
The clashes, which began on October 4, also left 17 people wounded, according to local officials and police.
Opposition fighters from Riek Machar’s SPLA-IO entered Ruweng from neighbouring Unity state, a local minister said.
Thousands of people have fled the fighting, though estimates differ: the minister said more than 100,000 had left, while a police source confirmed thousands.
South Sudan’s forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Machar’s forces fought a civil war from 2013 to 2018 that killed more than 400,000 people.
The renewed violence raises concern ahead of elections scheduled for December 22, which have already been postponed several times; a UN human rights commission has warned that voting amid current tensions could trigger wider conflict.
Clashes between South Sudan government and opposition forces in Ruweng have killed 23 people and wounded 17, authorities and police said.
The fighting lasted four weeks, from October 4 through Thursday, and thousands of people fled the area.
Ruweng information minister Tony Chol Ayat said more than 100,000 people had fled, while a police source confirmed that “thousands” had left.
The clashes come as South Sudan approaches national elections scheduled for December 22, after repeated postponements.
- Who
- South Sudan government forces and opposition fighters from Riek Machar’s SPLA-IO.
- What
- Clashes killed 23 people and wounded 17. Thousands fled the conflict zone.
- When
- Fighting ran from October 4 through Thursday, the week of November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Ruweng administrative area in northern South Sudan. The SPLA-IO fighters reportedly entered from neighbouring Unity state.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fighting began in Ruweng, according to the information minister.
The reported period of fighting ended, with 23 dead and 17 wounded.
Authorities and police reported the death toll and displacement.
South Sudan’s national elections are scheduled to take place.
- Deaths
- 23
- Wounded
- 17
- Reported fighting period
- October 4 through Thursday, the week of November 8, 2026
- Displacement
- The minister said more than 100,000 fled; a police source confirmed “thousands
- Location
- Ruweng administrative area, South Sudan
- Scheduled elections
- December 22
What people are saying
the government built up forces on the front lines and the rebel armies were repelled
thousands