At least 16 individuals dead in South Sudan clashes
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Synopsis
Juba, Jan 17 (NationPress) reports that at least 16 individuals, including a soldier, have died following clashes between the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Nagero County, as per officials.
Key Takeaways
- At least 16 casualties reported.
- 79,000 people displaced due to violence.
- Conflict initiated over illegal checkpoint.
- Fighting spread to Bazia region.
- Accusations exchanged between military factions.
Juba, Jan 17 (NationPress) At least 16 individuals, including a soldier, have lost their lives due to clashes that erupted between the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Nagero County, officials reported.
According to Henry Bangada Assaya, the commissioner of Nagero County, this violence has resulted in the displacement of over 79,000 people, many of whom have sought refuge in the surrounding bush, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
"The fighting was still ongoing even on Wednesday evening. I observed heavy military equipment moving towards the conflict zone," Bangada informed Xinhua via telephone on Thursday. He added that the conflict has extended to Bazia in Western Bahr El Ghazal State.
Lul Ruai Koang, the spokesperson for the SSPDF, stated that the clashes commenced after SPLA-IO forces declined to remove an unlawful checkpoint at the Kubri-Boo Bridge.
"Initially, we believed it stemmed from that solitary officer along with a few SPLA-IO elements resisting the dismantling of the roadblock, but after we dismantled it, we were assaulted at Kubri-Boo Bridge. Though we managed to repel them, they returned once more," Koang explained.
Koang noted that SPLA-IO forces invaded SSPDF-controlled territory on Tuesday night and executed an ambush, leading to the death of one soldier and injuries to three others. SSPDF forces encountered two additional assaults at Kubri-Boo and a third at Zamoi.
Nonetheless, Ali Solomon Simon, the SPLA-IO sector commander in Nagero, accused the SSPDF of sparking the conflict by attacking SPLA-IO forces at a cantonment site.
"Before the fighting began, we were stationed at the cantonment site, anticipating the second phase of training for the unified forces. I am perplexed as to why the government deployed their forces here to engage my troops in combat," Simon stated.
He voiced his disappointment over the circumstances, adding, "If they desired for my forces to vacate the roadblock, we should have convened for a discussion. Instead, they initiated warfare with my forces. I am disheartened by this situation, as we are meant to be executing the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, but the government soldiers are engaging us in conflict."
Simon also confirmed that the fighting has now spread to Bazia, where his forces are currently positioned.
