Fighting erupted in Rubkona area near Bentiu town in South Sudan’s Unity State between government forces and opposition fighters allied to Riek Machar over the weekend, a spokesman of the armed group said.
Goc Machar, military spokesperson of the SPLA-IO faction in Unity State, told Radio Tamazuj that forces loyal to President Salva Kiir attacked their forces in Rubkona area yesterday morning.
He pointed out that about three soldiers were killed from their side and several others injured in clashes. Goc claimed that they also killed dozens of government soldiers.
Meanwhile, Weirial Puok, member of the armed opposition faction claimed that the government forces attacked their position near Bentiu town, but they were repulsed.
He said yesterday. “There were clashes today after the government forces attacked our position near Bentiu, but our forces managed to repulse the attackers,” said Pouk.
For his part, Lam Tungwar, Information Minister in the proposed Northern Liech State confirmed the fighting near Bentiu town. However, the official didn’t give more details about the clashes between the two warring parties in the area.