LEER — Fighting has broken out at a military installation affiliated with the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), located in Mayendit County of Unity State, according to the field opposition commander.
Speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon, SPLA-IO Division 4B Commander Maj. Gen. Gatgok Riaka reported that clashes had occurred at Mirnyal, a principal SPLA-IO base in Mayendit County.
Gen. Gatgok accused the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) of mobilizing troops from neighboring Koch County to launch an assault.
The senior opposition military official indicated that tensions had escalated over the past two days following the movement of troops by Brig. Gen. Gatluak Kai Gai, commander of the SSPDF’s 12th Brigade, from SPLA-IO’s former base in Mirmir of Koch County, now occupied by the SSPDF, to Mayendit.
“Two days ago, the SSPDF’s 12th brigade commander in Mayendit, Gatluak Kai, deployed forces from Mirmir in Koch County. These forces, in conjunction with SSPDF soldiers under the command of Mayendit Commissioner Gatluak, initiated an attack on us at 3:00 PM, which persisted until 4:00 PM,” Gen. Gatgok stated.
He further informed that the assaulting force had been repelled towards the interior of Rubkuai Payam headquarters. Gatgok noted that casualties had not yet been officially confirmed by the SPLA-IO’s intelligence unit in the area.
“We have successfully repelled these SSPDF forces back towards the center of Mayendit town. Presently, our intelligence unit is in the process of ascertaining casualties on both sides, and we will provide updates to the public accordingly,” he stated.
At the time of writing, phone calls to Mayendit Commissioner, Gatluak Nyang, and SSPDF spokesman, Lul Ruai Koang, had gone unanswered.
Mirnyal, situated 12 kilometers west of Rubkuai, became a new location for the SPLA-IO subsequent to their expulsion from Rubkuai in February.
This relocation was undertaken to prevent clashes with their counterparts in the peace agreement, according to opposition officials at the time.
SPLM-IO Chairperson in Mayendit County, Gattuor Chakuoth, had previously informed Sudans Post that he and his forces were instructed to vacate Rubkuai, departing on February 14 to avoid confrontation with the SSPDF.
Two weeks ago, the County Commissioner approached me and asked me to leave Rubkuai Payam together with my forces. Yesterday, the Commissioner came again and told me that I must leave the area,” he stated at the time.
“In order to avoid fighting, we decided to leave Rubkuai and have gone with my forces to a place called Mirnyal which was our base before the signing of the revitalized peace agreement and this move is to preserve peace,” he added.
