South Sudan Armed Opposition Capture of Government Army Base

Sudanhorizon- Agencies
Forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), loyal to Dr.Riek Machar, announced in Jonglei State, South Sudan, that they have captured a major military base in Uror County. This marks a significant shift in territorial control as fighting intensifies in the region.

The fall of Yuai, the capital of Uror County in Jonglei State, comes after days of escalating violence. This base was the last major stronghold of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSDF) in the heartland of the Lou Nuer tribe, following their recent loss of the neighboring town of Waat.

Lieutenant Colonel Kur Nyang Mbor, spokesman for the opposition army, told a local radio station, “Yuai fell this morning (Friday) after hours of intense fighting.” He claimed that their forces were attacked by the government army while moving between the areas of Fatai and Fabonq, explaining that the counter-attack began at 3:00 AM and resulted in the complete capture of the town of Yuai by dawn.

For his part, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, the government army spokesman, declined to confirm or deny the loss of the military garrison in Yuai, indicating that he was consulting with the Chief of the Defence Staff before issuing an official statement.

Meanwhile, Gatluak Riet, a member of the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly representing Uror County, confirmed the fall of the town, saying, “The whereabouts of the government commissioner are now confirmed; he has arrived in the Tiam area and is heading to the neighboring Duk County. We have been trying to locate him since the town was overrun.”

The attack has triggered a new wave of displacement in a region that has already suffered from instability for years. Residents in the neighboring Duk Fadiet area reported hearing heavy artillery fire throughout the night. “People in Fatwit and Fagot are leaving their homes and moving to safer areas for fear of the fighting spreading,” said Chol Machar, a resident of the area. “The situation is very tense, and civilians are suffering the most.”

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