Fighting inside Bentiu town

Fighting has broken out again in Bentiu town between South Sudan’s two main warring parties, SPLA-IO and SPLA-Juba.

Fighting has broken out again in Bentiu town between South Sudan’s two main warring parties, SPLA-IO and SPLA-Juba.

The town has been under the control of SPLA-Juba since early May. The fighting is reported to be serious. 

John Malok, Unity State Security Adviser (SPLA-Juba), told Radio Tamazuj that forces loyal to SPLM-IO leaders Riek Machar and Taban Deng on Wednesday attacked their forces inside Bentiu Town

Malok stated the fighting erupted at 10:00 a.m. inside Bentiu town and is continuing. He said the attackers came from the directions of Guit, Nhialdiu and Rubkona.

Philip Aguer, SPLA-Juba spokesperson in Juba, also said that the SPLA-IO forces attacked Bentiu and said the fighting is still underway.

Asked who was controlling Bentiu, he said that SPLA-Juba was still in control of the town including the barracks.

He said the attacked came from the south and east of Bentiu.

File photo: JEM forces alled to SPLA-Juba fighting in Bentiu in May 2014

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