SSPDF bombs Warrap armed youth in warning to Jonglei’s Red Belt

KUAJOK – The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has launched aerial bombardment in Tonj East County of Warrap State in an aggressive move aimed at forcefully disarming armed youth.

The bombing, reported Tuesday morning, comes less than one month after SSPDF Chief of Defence forces, General Paul Nang Majok, issued a 21-day ultimatum to armed youth, including Jonglei State’s Red Belt, to integrate into the national army or prepare to be forcibly disarmed.

SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang stated the time that a special committee would be established to manage the integration process and stressed that the army would not hesitate to use force against any members who defy the order.

With the ultimatum elapsing, the SSPDF seems to be following through on its directive with military deterrence action.

Speaking to Sudans Post in an exclusive interview, Warrap State Minister of Information, Mamer Bath Marol, said the gunships targeted only armed groups believed to be planning attacks on neighbouring communities.

“The SSPDF has been bombing areas of the Luanyjang community, such as Wunliet, Wang-gai, and others. This is part of the enforcement of the state of emergency. You know Warrap has a state of emergency declared, so if there is any abnormal movement of youth, as is the case now, the laws of the emergency have to be applied,” Marol explained.

He described the operation as “wide-ranging,” noting that it has been ongoing since Monday.
“From yesterday until this morning, the bombing continues across Tonj East in the Luanyjang areas. The airstrikes are only targeting assembly points where the armed youth are regrouping. Our target is where there are guns,” he said.

Marol dismissed concerns over environmental, human, and livestock impacts of the bombings, arguing that such consequences are inevitable during operations under a state of emergency.

“Incidents involving airstrikes are common in situations of continued violence, cattle raids, and direct confrontations. When a state of emergency is in place, there’s little that can be done to avoid collateral damage,” he stated.

He also downplayed claims from residents who fear the bombings will leave them vulnerable to attacks from armed youth in neighboring states.

“As armed youth are outlawed, they rarely listen to the mechanisms being put in place. The ultimatum for them to disarm ends on November 2nd, and that is why the SSPDF has intervened—because the youth are being spotted regrouping in swampy areas and cattle camps for imminent attacks,” the minister said.

According to Marol, no casualties have been reported so far, although some cattle were injured during the strikes. He urged the armed youth to surrender their weapons, warning that failure to do so would invite further action.

“These youth never wait for peaceful means to resolve disputes. Even minor incidents, like a girl getting pregnant, can lead to armed retaliation. As the government of Warrap, we must comply with SSPDF’s operations,” he stressed.

Analysts, however, have expressed concern that the ongoing bombings and forced disarmament could trigger renewed violence in the state. Some also questioned reports that cluster munitions—banned under international law—may have been used in the operation.