South Sudanese rebels loyal to former First Vice President Riek Machar have admitted that at least four soldiers were killed and nine others wounded from their side during clashes with government forces in Ayod area.

Col. William Gatjiath Deng, military spokesman for the SPLM-IO rebels, told Radio Tamazuj that they repulsed separate attacks launched by government forces on their positions in Ayod area on Monday and Tuesday.

Gatjiath admitted that at least four SPLA-IO soldiers were killed and nine others wounded from their side during the clashes, claiming they also killed nearly 47 government soldiers including senior officers.

Military officials loyal to South Sudan government could not immediately be reached for comment.