{UAH} South Sudan: Rebels Say Want Full Control of Equatoria Region, Now in Strategic Territories

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BY AGENCIES ON AUGUST 28, 2017LOCAL NEWS

Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA-iO), the South Sudanese largest rebel group says it has captured three key territories in the Southwestern Equatoria region and are on offensive to take full control of the region.

 

The group led by former Vice President Riek Machar who is currently under house arrest in South Africa said they took control of Kaya, Bindu, Kimba and Bazi following heavy fighting Saturday, Spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel said in a statement.

The fighting in which American Journalist Christopher Allen was killed claimed more than 20 people.

Allen who worked for various news outlets, was killed in heavy fighting in the town of Kaya. South Sudan has been convulsed by conflict since late 2013, pitting President Salva Kiir's troops against those of rebel leader Riek Machar.

Lam said rebels killed 56 government soldiers including the commander of Bindu base who was a Major and a Captain from the government military intelligence unit in Kaya known locally as Malis.

He adds that they seized (1) 12.7 mm machine guns, six (6) PK machine guns, four (4) RPGs and twenty-eight (28) AK47 were some of the military equipment and assets they captured during the operations.

He said they lost three (3) fighters and 15 wounded.

South Sudan deputy military spokesperson Colonel Santo Domic said the fighting started at 06:20 am local time and lasted close to one hour.

 

"Three SPLA soldiers were killed and 6 others injured. Fighting finished and the SPLA forces went to inspect the combat zone and were surprised to find among the 16 dead bodies the body of a white man," he said referring to the U.S. journalist killed during the fighting.

The South Sudanese government accuses the rebels of refusing to stop the fighting in line with the ceasefire agreement. The SPLM-IO from its part accuses Juba of breaching the peace agreement and attacking their positions in the country

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