Incident Summary:

07/29/2020: Assailants attacked members of the Bor ethnic community in Makol Cuei, Jonglei, South Sudan. At least 17 people were killed, nine were injured, and 10 were abducted in the raid. The outcome of the abduction is unknown. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to the Murle Tribe.

GTD ID:
202007290017

When:
2020-07-29

Country:
South Sudan

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Jonglei

City:
Makol Cuei

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Type of Attack (more) Hostage Taking (Kidnapping)
Type of Attack (more) Facility/Infrastructure Attack
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Not Applicable
Specific Description Bor Civilians
Nationality of Target South Sudan
Additional Information
Hostages Yes
Number of Hostages 10
US Hostages 0
Outcome Unknown
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Incendiary Arson/Fire
Melee Knife or Other Sharp Object
Weapon Details
Knives were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) No
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) Yes
Alternate Designation (more) Intra/Inter-group Conflict
Additional Information There is doubt that this incident meets terrorism-related criteria. Sources suggested the incident may have been the result of ethnic clashes. Casualty numbers conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the lowest reliable estimates are reported here.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Murle Tribe No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 17 Fatalities / 9 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 17
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 9
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"At least 28 killed in ethnic clashes," The Star (South Africa), July 29, 2020.
"Dozens Killed in Sudan, South Sudan Inter-Communal Fighting," VOA News, July 28, 2020.
"Death toll from Bor county attack reaches 23: police," Sudan News Gazette, July 29, 2020.