A state official says that nine civilians were killed in clashes between government and opposition in Nhialdiu, Unity State, on Sunday. 

SPLA-IO rebels, meanwhile, deny abducting aid workers from the village but confirm that they captured territory where they were based. 

Lam Tungwar, Minister of Information in South Sudan’s proposed Northern Liech State said that nine civilians were killed in the clashes that erupted between the government and opposition forces on Sunday in Nhialdiu area. 

“Nine civilians were killed during the clashes in Nhialdiu area,” said Tungwar.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Tungwar admitted that rebels overran Nhialdiu breifly but claimed that the government forces have since recaptured the area from the opposition. He also reiterated his earlier claim that the opposition abducted 21 aid workers including 20 South Sudanese nationals and one Kenyan national.

One aid agency that has worked in Nhialdiu area denied that any of its staff were abducted. “We do not have any WFP Staff members abducted in Nhialdu over the weekend,” said agency spokesman George Fominyen. 

Meanwhile, William Gatjiath, a spokesman for the armed opposition claimed they are still in control of the area since the clashes erupted on Sunday.

He added that there 20 aid workers who sought protection on the opposition side during the clashes and are still in Nhialdiu area, noting that they have informed the UN and humanitarian agencies that there are 20 aid workers under their protection and they are allowed to go to their work place if they wish to.

“Our forces captured Nhialdiu area and they are in control of the area but there were aid workers who sought protection on our side during the clashes. They are with us now and the government is claiming that we abducted aid workers. We did not abduct anyone. They are free to go whenever they want,” said Gatjiath.

File photo: Lam Tungwar (right) with President Salva Kiir