S. Sudan rebels claim killing over 100 government soldiers

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

May 4, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan rebels led by former vice-president, Riek Machar on Monday claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on pro-government forces after the clashes in Unity state.

The rebel’s deputy military spokesperson, Dickson Gatluak Nyuot, told Sudan Tribune as many as 125 government soldiers were allegedly killed during battles at Parieng, Lalop areas and in South Sudan’s Unity state oil field territory.

“91 others [soldiers] were also wounded,” he said, adding “Three T-55 tanks were destroyed and several ammunitions captured in Bentiu”.

According to the armed opposition group, the Juba government allegedly pulled out its forces from several places in Upper Nile after they came under strong pressure from the rebel forces.

Sudan Tribune was unable to independently verify the armed opposition’s cliams.

Nyuot further said the armed opposition forces will eventually move to occupy Pom, Attar, Kaldak, Cannal, Khorpoluth, Doleep, Obel 1, Obel 2, Obel 3, Obel 4, wechtungkeernyang and Tunja areas.

“SPLA/IO forces will also be redeploying further in Baliet and Galachiel since the pro-government forces left these positions for Akooka and Maluth in the last two weeks” added the official.

The occupation and redeployment operation, he said, will take place in two days as per orders from the rebel headquarters in Pagak.

“The main reasons for the government troops to abandon the areas is because of the Unity state and Malakal battles,” Nyuot claimed.

He said SPLA/IO forces regained full control of their positions in Omdelwich, north of Renk and managed to resist and repulse multiple attacks in Tibun from Government troops in Upper Nile state.

“Our forces are on high alert also in unity and Jonglei states where SPLA forces are being monitor for their advancing move from Gatdiang to attack Lou Nuer Local defend forces (LDF),” said Nyuot.

He also said the armed opposition forces were in a similar move to attack Mayandiit and Leer in Unity state, through Lake state.

Meanwhile, the state liaison officer George Gatloy Kong from Koch county in Unity state accused the South Sudanese army of allegedly killing and raping women in Nhial Dui payam of Unity state.

Kong alleged the SPLA soldiers and their senior officers around Nhialdiu village were committing atrocities against civilians after the rebels withdrew from the areas around.

“The situation is out of control in Nhial Dui following the evacuation of IO forces from the area”, he said on Monday.

He called on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) team, African Union and the international communities to protect civilians from being mistreated.

(ST)