Hundreds of civilians from Wau Shilluk area have been displaced by fresh fighting between government troops and SPLM/A-IO forces on the west bank of the Nile near Malakal in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State.
John Ador, a local resident, told Radio Tamazuj that hundreds of people from Wau Shilluk area ran into the bush, while some of them arrived in Kodok area.
The area of Wau Shilluk was controlled by opposition forces prior to the signing of a permanent ceasefire agreement, but now is contested after government troops crossed the Nile from the east bank.
Ador further said the people feared fighting that broke out between the government and rebels in Datang and Makal Shilluk areas near the town of Malakal.
Meanwhile, another source at the UN Protection of Civilians’ Site (PoC) in Malakal confirmed they heard the sounds of heavy guns used in fighting on Monday night. The fighting between the government and the rebels lasted until Tuesday morning, according to the same source.
Separately, Presidential Press Secretary Ateny Wek issued a statement denying rumours that rebel forces captured Malakal. He also blamed the rebel forces for starting the new fighting.
“Malakal is under full control of Government’s Forces. In actual fact, there were some attempts by the rebels on6 and 7th as well as this morning September 8, 2015 in clear violation of the declared Ceasefire,” said Ateny Wek.
He may have been referring to fighting in the vicinity of Doleib Hill, located south of Malakal, which is the only east bank area near to the city controlled by the SPLM-IO.
Meanwhile, government sources suggested that the recent attacks into the west bank area may be aimed at securing the landing of aircrafts passing over areas previously occupied by the rebels so as to prevent threats to aircrafts landing in Malakal.
A sources said that the new caretaker governor of Upper Nile is planning to go to Malakal this week and wants the area to be secured from any threats. He is scheduled to first go to Paloich and then Renk before extending his trip to Malakal.