A group of humanitarian organizations report the killings in Leer County alone between October 4 and 22, 2015.

Protection Cluster, representing 60 local  and international humanitarian organizations  monitoring civilian casualties in South Sudan say over 80 civilians, including 57 children were killed just in the war-torn Leer County in Unity State  between October 4 and 22, 2015, the Lebanese press organ, The Daily Star reported.

Twenty nine of the children drowned after running into swamps to hide from attacks in Leer County, the group of humanitarian organizations reportedly said and added that there were reports of widespread use of sexual violence, including more than 50 rape cases.

The Associated Press cited the rebel representative for the Leer County,  Kuong Kuony of accusing government forces of launching attacks on rebel positions, burning houses  of civilians  and looting away cattle. In response, Army spokesman, Philip Aguer said on October 24, 2015 that the army had no reports of fighting in Leer County.

Reports say fighting persists in South Sudan despite  the peace deal President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar signed  in August 2015. Latest incidents of fighting date back to October 2, 2015 after the rebel forces gained control of Leer.  Government forces reportedly chased out the rebel forces and have since carried out attacks in several parts of the country by pursuing civilians right into marshy areas, Associated Press cited witnesses. Protection Cluster reports further say that the violence has caused almost 1,200 children to be separated from their families in the south and centre of Unity State.

The U.N. and human rights groups have documented widespread abuses against civilians including rapes and killings by government soldiers and their militia, in Unity state this year.