Bentiu, 19 Sept 2017; Heavy fighting erupted between government forces and armed opposition fighters loyal to former first vice president Dr. Riek Machar. According to local report coming from Nhialdhiu, Unity state 25 people mainly soldiers from government side, and at least six civilians both women and children were among the dead in Monday surprise rebel attack in town close to the border of Sudan.  

While government military spokesperson brig Koang Rui is unavailable for comment. His counterpart from armed opposition SPLA-IO, deputy military spokesperson Col Lam Paul Gabriel said, this morning [Monday] at about 0500 hours, their forces [SPLA IO] forces of Division 4A under the command of Maj Gen. John Turuk Khor, launched a successful operation against the Juba regime forces in Nhialdiu, Rubkona County, Unity State. 

Col Lam Paul said fighting lasted for only one hour and at approximately 06:00 hour local time, their gallant SPLA- IO forces took full control of Nhialdhiu; defeating the enemy forces and scattering them in disarray leaving behind nineteen [19] dead bodies and several others injured including Biel Matuek Commissioner of Nhialdiu. 

 Col Lam added at their side one soldier was killed and four others have sustained minor injuries. He also said besides inflicting human loses on enemy forces, the gallant SPLA-IO forces have captured 36 AK47s, six [6] PKMs, four RPG seven several boxes of ammunitions. 

Later on, Tuesday the government in Juba claimed to have repulsed the attackers and have pursued them into the bushes. A claim this website cannot independently verify, however the displaced civilians who are now hiding in the bushes confirmed the captured of Nhialdhiu and said the opposition forces are still in the town, there is no sign of government forces around the town. 

Simon Kur Peter 

SSLN