The Red Cross today said that Kodok town has been shelled and largely deserted by its inhabitants. Separately, the South Sudanese army spokesman reported that fighting has continued today in the Upper Nile State capital Malakal.
Three parties to the fighting – SPLA-Juba, SPLA-IO and Shilluk militia commanded by Johnson Olony – have clashed since Friday.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Kodok, a town on the west bank of the Nile north of the state capital, was shelled yesterday evening.
Kodok is under control of Olony’s forces. The government forces (SPLA-Juba) based on the east bank of the Nile have accused Olony of defecting and joining SPLA-IO.
In a press statement today, ICRC said the fighting in Upper Nile State is “causing yet another wave of displacement of civilians fearing for their lives.”
An ICRC official in Juba told Radio Tamazuj that the town is “deserted,” adding, “We can’t operate under heavy shelling and when civilians are gone.”
According to the press statement, ICRC has relocated its operational base from Kodok to Oriny. “The intensified shelling in the area of Kodok town puts the lives of the patients in the ICRC supported hospital there in extreme danger. The ICRC reminds all parties that under no circumstances should medical facilities be targeted,” reads the statement.
Separately, a civilian in Kodok said that residents have fled to the bush fearing clashes. He mentioned rumours that a helicopter bombed Malakal and said they feared they could also be attacked. But he did not mention shelling.
Meanwhile, the army claims that it is still battling to maintain control of the state capital Malakal. “There are clashes in Malakal. Malakal is contested. There is a battle in Malakal,” said SPLA-Juba spokesman Philip Aguer today.
This contradicts other reports stating that Johnson Olony’s forces have taken control of Malakal. Aguer also confirmed that there were clashes in Kodok while denying any clashes in Akoka.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the army spokesman insisted that Olony has defected from the army and accused him of cooperating with SPLA-IO forces that attacked Malakal last Friday.
File photo: Kodok Hospital (ICRC)