Rebels claim recapture of strategic Malakal town in Upper Nile
June 28, 2015 (NAIROBI) – South Sudanese armed opposition faction led by former vice- president, Riek Machar, said their forces have captured Malakal, state capital of the oil-rich Upper Nile state, on Saturday after hours of fierce battle with government troops.
“Upper Nile state’s capital, Malakal, is under our full control. It was captured at 10pm on Saturday,” he said.
“A joint force of SPLM/SPLA and Aguelek under the overall command of Major General Johnson Olony took control of the town. Government forces are being pursued towards Akoka, north of Malakal, in a mob up operation,” he added.
Dak said the recent fighting was provoked by government’s troops, who since Monday attacked the opposition fighters in Canal area in Jonglei state, near Malakal. He said the attack was repulsed and government troops were pursued into Malakal, resulting to the recapture of the strategic state capital on Saturday night.
He said heavy casualties were inflicted on the government including capture of many war equipment.
Upper Nile state information Minister Peter Hoth Tuach said that fighting between the government and the opposition forces had broken out but the government soldiers were controlling the situation.
“There is fighting around Malakal. The rebels have launched a joint attack on the town but our forces are controlling the situation,” the minister told Sudan Tribune without giving further details.
Gordon Buay, one of the representatives of the government mission to the United States denied in a separate interview with Sudan Tribune that Malakal had fallen under control of armed opposition forces
“Malakal has not fallen to the rebels. Our forces are inside Malakal town now. They are resisting the rebels. The rebels have only taken Doleib and it is just a matter of time before they are defeated from Doleib”, he said without elaborating on reports that government forces have pulled out of the town on Saturday evening in protest of not receiving reinforcement and military supplies.
Sudan Tribune was unable to independently verify and get confirmation of which of the forces controlling of the town.
Also the government military spokesperson was unavailable for comments despite attempts to get his reactions to the latest the military developments in only one of the remaining oil producing state.
(ST)