By Chol D. Johnson
The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) claimed to have recaptured some areas previously occupied by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in opposition (SPLA-IO) in Northern Jonglei.
In a statement to the media, Lul Ruai Koang, SSPDF Spokesperson, claimed that the government forces recaptured the Yuai and Pathai barracks in Northern Jonglei from SPLA-IO forces.
He claimed that the areas were recaptured under the leadership and overall command of the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Paul Nang Majok.
“The SSPDF is profoundly proud to announce to the public re-liberation of Yuai barracks at 3:30PM, 28/1/2026 and Pathai military Outpost at 6:00PM on 27/1/2026” Lul said in statement.
Lul expressed that the SSPDF command congratulates its gallant forces for rapidly regaining control of lost bases.
He said that after victory over the SPLA-IO forces, the SSPDF called civil populations to return home.
“After those stunning victories over SPLA-IO rebels, the command of the national army calls upon civil populations that had evacuated Yuai, Pathai, and all surrounding villages to immediately return to their respective homes,” he said.
Lul said there are more details on the battlefields not yet reported about the losses and equipment damages inflicted on the retreating SPLA-IO fighters.
The press statement release followed the conflict that escalated early last month between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces in Yuai and other areas.
However, during the confrontations, the SPLA-IO captured Yuai and Pathai Barracks for last month although the SSPDF termed it as tactical withdrawal.
The SSPDF under the command of Paul Nang Majok, the SSPDF Chief of Defence, ordered the SSPDF to re-liberate the areas within a week from SPLA-IO forces.
The SSPDF commanded all the civilians to evacuate the areas controlled by the SPLA-IO forces for the safety of the civilians.
Lul said the military Outpost were captured from SPLA-IO rebels in a brief but decisive battle that ended in a defeat and subsequent running in disarray.
“After mopping operations, battlefield searches, consolidation of gains made and securing of round defensive position, the following vital finds were made” Lul stated in the statement.
He underscored the SSPDF has also found six corpses of fallen and abandoned rebel fighters during the operation.
Lul added that large caches of ammunitions for 14.5mm, 12.7mm, PKM light machine guns mortar shells were recovered along.
“With over 20 women, girls and children that were abandoned by fleeing rebel fighters following intense heat and chaos of battle for control” he stressed.
He emphasized that in compliance with our Rules of Engagement (ROE), the civilians that were caught up in the battle were taken into protective custody overnight and yesterday in the afternoon, they were handed over to Khor Den Chop, Paramount of freshly recaptured Pathai Payam.
Furthermore, he underscored that to ensure their welfare, the SSPDF’s Mobile Directorate of Logistics issued the civilians with assorted food that included maize flour and cooking oil among other essential food items.
According to Lul, they civilians were visibly elated and happy after receiving rations, and reuniting with their loved ones in their respective villages around Pathai town centre.