Fighting broke out on Saturday and Sunday in Upper Nile State east of the capital Malakal, according to the state information minister.
Hon. Philip Jiben Ogal said that government troops were attacked in the county capital twice but that there was no fighting today.
“Rebel forces attacked our army at Baliet. They’re still in their positions. And today there were no clashes that happened, but those events happened the day before yesterday and yesterday,” he said.
Jiben added that another attack was expected: “So now the situation is normal, but we hear that those people want to attack Baliet again.”
The minister’s report could not be independently verified. Last week it was reported that opposition forces had advanced toward areas closer to Malakal than Baliet, such as Owachi and Doleib.
It was estimated today by the South Sudanese news website Gurtong that earlier fighting in Baliet County displaced more than 70,000 civilians. The area lies between the state capital and an opposition stronghold in Nasser.
Related coverage:
Opposition fighters launch attacks near Malakal (13 Feb.)