South Sudanese rebels repulse attack by gov’t forces in Upper Nile

June 14, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese rebels led by former vice-president, Riek Machar, said they repulsed fresh attack on Sunday by government forces on their position in Kaka area, north of the oil-rich Upper Nile state’s capital, Malakal.

“Our troops repulsed attack by government forces on our position in Kaka this morning (Sunday),” official spokesman for the rebel leader, Riek Machar, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

“A number of officers, including Lt. Col. Paulino Yak Abar Adong were captured from the attacking government forces,” Machar’s spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, revealed.

He said at least 62 government soldiers were reported dead during the morning clashes, which he said started at around 5:30am (local time) when their position came under attack.

A number of tanks, he said, were captured or destroyed in addition to captured 15 RPG 7 and 26 PKMs and 48 AK47.

He said Kaka area has remained under full control of the rebel forces, warning of further escalation of fighting unless the government stopped its full scale offensive on territories held by the opposition forces.

The rebel leader’s spokesman accused the government of further violations of ceasefire while preparations were ongoing to resume the peace process in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The attack came 72 hours after IGAD mediators announced a new power sharing proposal which was declined by the two warring parties.

(ST)