Fighting in SPLM-IO Mirmir Payam Cantonment site, Unity State

By Chondok Stephen Magei
Fighting reportedly erupted at 8:30pm in Sudan People’s Liberation Movement In Opposition (SPLM-IO) camp in Mirmir Payam Cantonment site, Koch County southern Unity State on Saturday.
An SPLM-IO officer who did not want to be named due to the sensitivity of this issue said nine (9) SPLM-IO Military Intelligence officers defected to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) camp but before leaving the SPLM-IO barracks their move was detected.

“Fighting erupted between those who were defecting and other SPLM-IO soldiers, the gunfire lasted for 40 minutes in Mirmir Cantonment site leaving one SPLM-IO soldier wounded.” Said the officer.

According to SPLM-IO base Commander, when the fighting started at the military base, some members of the white army who had earlier defected to government base in Ngony Payam just half kilometer from Mirmir Payam joined the fight.

Last Month some White army in SPLA-IO in Mirmir Payam demanded for the release of their colleagues who were arrested of allegedly creating insecurity along the road, when their demand was not met, they defected to the SSPDF.