South Sudan: Army advances on town of Bor in rebel hands
Government troops in South Sudan are advancing on the flashpoint town of Bor, the last state capital still in rebel hands, an army spokesman says.
‘Bor is still in the hands of the rebels but our forces are still moving towards it,’ Colonel Philip Aguer said on Monday.
Bor, situated some 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of Juba and capital of the restive Jonglei State, has already changed hands three times since fighting broke out in South Sudan one month ago.
The fighting is between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and a loose coalition of army defectors and ethnic militia nominally headed by Riek Machar, a former vice president and seasoned guerilla fighter.
Government troops recaptured the key north oil city of Bentiu last week, but have since grappled with rebel fighters closer to the capital Juba — with new clashes reportedly taking place just 20 kilometres from Juba on Sunday.