Fighters loyal to South Sudan’s former Vice President turned rebel leader Riek Machar claimed taking control of Guit area in Northern Liech State, their official military spokesperson, William Gatjiath Deng said Sunday.

Gatjiath told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that their fighters had taken control of Guit town following fierce clashes with government forces on Friday.

He added that their forces had inflicted heavy losses on government troops, claiming that 20 soldiers from the government perished in the attack.

The rebel spokesman admitted that three soldiers were killed from their side during the clashes.

But Northern Liech’s minister of information Lam Tungwar dismissed Gatjiath’s claims, saying the rebel claims of victory on the frontlines in Guit were baseless and unfounded.

He pointed out that there were no clashes in Guit, saying the area was under full control of fighters loyal to the country’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.

Separately, Lam Tungwar said at least six people were killed last week in inter-communal clashes between two families in Rubkona.