Addis Ababa, October 30, 2014 (SSNA) — Rebel forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-O) loyal to South Sudan’s Former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, have withdrawn from Unity State’s main military barracks located in Rupkoni, Unity State.
The anti-government forces called the move ‘tactical’.
The Spokesman for the SPLA-in opposition, Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, released a statement which he addressed to rebel supporters both in South Sudan and Diaspora. Mr. Koang also praised Major General Peter Gatdet Yak who commands all the rebel forces in the oil-rich Unity State.
“This is to inform our supporters at home and all over the world our Resistance Forces at 4:00pm embarked on Tactical Withdrawal from Rupkoni (Rubkona) main Military Barracks. This act was purely for military reasons deemed necessary by our brilliant Field Commander and Military Governor of Unity State, Maj. Gen. Peter Gatdet Yak”, Gen. Koang declared.
Koang made it clear that South Sudanese rebels are in full control of Bentiu, the capital of the Unity State.
“…we are still in firm control of Bentiu town. Join me in congratulating our forces for having inflicted heavy casualties on Kiir’s genocidal forces”, he announced.
This week, the South Sudan News Agency(SSNA) has reported a heavy fighting in Unity State leading to the capture of Bentiu by the rebels.