At least 10 killed in SSPDF, SPLA-IO clashes
By Denis Ejulu
Renewed clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and opposition fighters loyal to detained First Vice President Riek Machar have left 10 soldiers dead since Monday.
Garang Ateny Alier, Acting spokesperson of the SSPDF said on Wednesday that they lost three soldiers and inflicted heavy losses on the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in opposition (SPLA-IO) in Monday’s clashes in Mathiang area of Upper Nile State.
“In the clashes in Upper Nile, we have lost like three SSPDF personnel and unaccountable number from the SPLA-IO because they attacked us and we were also on self-defense, we were aware of the information from our intelligence,” Ateny told Juba Echo in Juba.
The two sides also clashed on Tuesday in Wunaliet, Juba County of Central Equatoria State, with the SPLA-IO spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel claiming they killed seven SSPDF soldiers.
Ateny claimed that the causalities in the fighting in Wunaliet, where a training camp for the SSPDF is based are not yet clear.
He also said that the defeated SPLA-IO elements that attacked their positions in Wunaliet, have fled towards Western Equatoria State, bordering Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“The SPLA-IO is the one actually violating the peace agreement, and they are the ones attacking SSPDF positions, but the SSPDF remains on self-defense because we respect the revitalized peace agreement,” said Ateny.
Meanwhile, Gabriel admitted in a statement that their forces in Longechuk attacked the SSPDF forces in Mathiang, and withdrew after they inflicted heavy casualties.
In addition, he also noted that the fighting in Wunaliet broke out after they intercepted a convoy of SSPDF troops on the move to launch attacks against their positions.
“The enemy forces were defeated and scattered throughout the bushes of Wunaliet by the ever ready force of the SPLA-IO, killing seven SSPDF soldiers including a Colonel called Juma Festo, who had defected from the SPLA-IO in the past,” said Gabriel.
The sides have been clashing since Aug.27 in Central Equatoria and Upper Nile States.
Tensions erupted between the opposition and the SSPDF following an attack on March 4 by the White Army militia, which the government said is allied with the SPLA-IO, overran a military base in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
On March 7, the White Army killed 27 SSPDF soldiers and a general who were being evacuated by the United Nations in Nasir. This incident led to the arrests of several high-ranking SPLA-IO officials.
