Fighting broke out again yesterday evening within Malakal town of Upper Nile State between government troops and allied militias against forces loyal to SPLA Major General Johnson Olony.
An officer in Olony’s forces told Radio Tamazuj that the clashes started at Doleib Hill, about 10 kilometres from Malakal town.
He alleged that the fighting erupted when they were attacked by the government forces and allied Dinka in which several soldiers were killed from both sides. Authorities in Malakal declined to comment.
The officer said that the fighting erupted within Malakal itself around 6:00 pm when government troops attacked them at Tarawa residential area in the south of the town. He added that Olony’s forces attacked Dinka militia allied to the government near the UN base.
The same source confirmed that they are now in full control of Malakal.
John Adiang, a local citizen who fled to the UN base told Radio Tamazuj that he saw many SPLA soldiers surrendered to the UN base with guns during yesterday’s fighting.
Related:
Factbox: South Sudan’s General Johnson Olony (28 Feb.)