South Sudan's army has repulsed rebel attacks on Ombaci area southeast of Yei County, the military deputy spokesman said Monday, saying clashes continued for some minutes.

“Yes on Monday our forces at Ombaci were attacked by anti-peace elements known as rebel forces but they were repulsed after exchange of gunfire,” SPLA Deputy Spokesman Santo Domic told Radio Tamazuj, adding that the area remained under the command of the army.

South Sudanese rebels allied to the former First Vice President Riek Machar on Monday claimed that their forces had controlled Ombaci area.

Separately, Santo Domic denied reports that a top SPLA general was killed during fighting with rebel fighters in the town of Kaya near the Ugandan border recently.

He explained that their wounded soldiers were taken to Juba together with late US journalist Christopher Allen who was killed in Kaya.