SSPDF frontline survivor claims 33 prisoners of war killed in Walgak

JUBA — A soldier aligned with the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has alleged that at least 33 prisoners of war were killed by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) while in captivity during fighting in Walgak village of Akobo County in South Sudan’s Jonglei State.

The survivor, who identified himself as Peter Majak Anyar, said he escaped from detention after what he described as a deadly attack on a group of captives. He told local authorities that dozens of prisoners were being held after clashes involving SSPDF soldiers, the White Army and SPLA-IO fighters.

According to his account, 44 people were captured and held together. He alleged that 33 of them were killed on Tuesday evening, while 10 others were taken away by their captors to an unknown location.

“We were 44 captives. They took ten with them and killed 33 at around 8:00 pm. I managed to escape and reach the government side,” Majak said, claiming that the killings were carried out by SPLA-IO forces.

He described himself as the sole survivor of the group but provided no further details on how the deaths occurred. His testimony could not be independently verified, and no official casualty figures have been released.

In response, the SPLA-IO strongly denied responsibility and instead accused SSPDF troops of committing abuses during what it described as an assault on Walgak. In a statement, SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel alleged that government forces launched a surprise attack on the village, killing civilians and burning homes.

“SSPDF forces attacked Walgak and killed every civilian they found before setting the village on fire,” Gabriel said.

The opposition group further claimed that prisoners of war previously captured in other areas — including Waat, Yuai and Pajut — were killed after SSPDF soldiers allegedly discovered them being held in detention during the fighting. The SPLA-IO described the incident as a serious violation of international humanitarian law and called for an independent investigation.

The conflicting accounts underscore the fragile security situation in parts of Jonglei State, where recurring clashes between rival forces and armed youth groups continue to place civilians and detainees at risk.