South Sudan: SPLA and SPLA-IO rival forces clashed in Central Equatoria
Rival South Sudanese forces clashed on Saturday in Central Equatoria, south of the national capital, Juba.
The deadly clashes, between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to First Vice President, Riek Machar, left at least 21 soldiers dead and dozen others wounded on both sides, according to military source.
“SPLA and SPLA-IO forces clashed on Saturday. The fighting occurred in Kansuk payam of Keji Keji county. Our forces were attacked in the area by the SPLA forces,” a senior military officer of the SPLA-IO told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.
He blamed the forces loyal to President Kiir for allegedly attacking their military base around Keji Keji in Kansuk area.
The source, who is also a member of the military committee responsible for the security arrangements per the August 2015 peace agreement, also claimed that the SPLA-IO forces defeated the SPLA forces in self-defence.