JUBA – The Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) designated Bor-based Red Belt group a rebel movement and directed armed forces to treat it as enemy, following a major arms search operation in Juba.
Security forces said the week-long operation, which began on October 17th, uncovered more than 230 guns, 64 pistols, and other weapons during house-to-house and vehicle searches.
Among the seized firearms are dozens of AK-47 rifles and military clothes branded with the Red Belt name, discovered in a van that was supposedly headed for Jonglei State, army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai said.
CDF Gen. Paul Nang warned that Red Belt members who fail to surrender their weapons will be treated as criminals as security sweeps expand beyond the capital.
Meanwhile, the SSPDF confirmed the dismantling of a controversial checkpoint at Mapou Roundabout following gunfire exchange between the checkpoint unit and a convoy of Information Minister Michael Makuei on Friday.
Army spokesperson Gen. Lul said the checkpoint was initially ordered closed by the Chief of Defense Forces but was later re-established without authorization.
Upon learning of its reinstallation, the Chief of Military Intelligence and the Assistant Chief of Defense Forces for Operations were directed to arrest those responsible, he said.
