South Sudan: Clashes around strategic Yei town between South Sudanese rival forces
South Sudanese rival forces have clashed around a strategic town, Yei, which is about 160 km south of the national capital, Juba, and towards the Ugandan border.
This is after the opposition forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA-IO) under the leadership of the former first vice president, Riek Machar, captured Lasu county, southwest of Yei.
Officials of the opposition faction confirmed that fighting erupted around Yei town, the capital of the newly formed Yei River State, when their forces came under attack from forces loyal to President Salva Kiir.
“Our forces of the SPLA (IO) came under attack today, Tuesday, when forces loyal to President Salva Kiir moved out of Yei town and attacked them. They were attacked in their defensive position some kilometers away north of Yei town,” confirmed James Gatdet Dak, spokesperson for Machar, leader of the country’s main opposition faction.
“However, our forces fought back in self-defence and chased the attacking forces back into the town. They did not follow them to capture the town,” he confirmed to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.