Addis Ababa, August 23, 2015 (SSNA) — South Sudan’s government forces on Sunday attacked rebel outposts in and around Unity and Central Equatoria states, Spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) has said.
The SPLM/A-IO said it has condemned what it described as “senseless attacks” against its soldiers.
James Gatdet Dak, who is the official Spokesperson for the leadership of armed opposition said in a statement extended to the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) that government troops have launched surprise attacks on their locations in Lainya of Central Equatoria state and Nhialdiu of the oil-rich Unity State.
“We are dismayed by the renewed aggression by Salva Kiir’s government. Our forces came under unprovoked attack on Sunday morning in different states of the country.Government forces came out from Unity state’s capital, Bentiu, and attacked our positions around Nhialdiu on Sunday morning. They were however repulsed and retreated back to Bentiu,” Gatdet said in the statement.
“Another offensive on our position by government forces took place on Sunday morning around Lainya on Juba-Yei road in Central Equatoria state.The attack was also repulsed,” he added.
The Spokesman for armed opposition stated that the SPLA-IO forces allied to Former South Sudanese Vice President Dr. Riek Machar repulsed the assaults, destroyed 6 military trucks, and killed at least 20 government soldiers.
Gatdet also said SPLA-Juba faction attacked the armed opposition on Saturday evening at River Acca.
The rebel official accused Kiir’s government of abandoning the peace, saying Juba believes only in military solution. He further calls on the IGAD-Plus and the community of nations to put pressure on Kiir to sign the peace accord and end the war.