By Chol D. Johnson
The Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA) authorities have condemned the clashes between SSPDF and SPLA-IO.
Recent days have seen fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Wunkur, according to local authorities.
Speaking to No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, the RAA minister of information, James Monyluak Mijok, strongly denounced the violence.
He claimed that SSPDF forces had pushed SPLA-IO and allied White Army fighters out of Wunkur County.
“The RAA condemns the ongoing aggression against the Ruweng Administrative Area by SPLA-IO forces,” Monyluak said.
According to him, SPLA-IO forces launched a surprise attack early Sunday morning at around 5:30 a.m., prompting SSPDF troops to make a tactical withdrawal from Wunkur.
However, by Monday evening (between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.), SSPDF forces reportedly recaptured the town after renewed fighting.
Monyluak said SSPDF is now in full control of the Wunkur County headquarters following two days of clashes.
He added that no casualties were reported among SSPDF personnel.
The minister also noted that civilians fled the area during the initial attack, and no civilian casualties have been confirmed.
He further stated that the situation in Wunkur is currently calm, with SSPDF forces conducting patrols in the town.
Wunkur County lies to the east of the Ruweng Administrative Area and borders Upper Nile State (Panyikang County), Jonglei State to the southeast, Unity State to the south and west, and Sudan’s South Kordofan State to the north.
The area also hosts an SSPDF military base.
Efforts to reach SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang for additional comment were unsuccessful.