Fighting between SPLA-Juba and SPLA-IO in northern Jonglei State represents the most sustained fighting in South Sudan since May, according to UN peacekeepers.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman of the UN Secretary-General in New York said on Wednesday that the clashes have been continuing in Fangak County in Jonglei.
Citing reports by the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Team, which works alongside the UN, Dujarric said there was “continuing heavy fighting between Government and Opposition forces in Fangak County in Jonglei State.”
The UN Mission in South Sudan “says that these hostilities represent the most sustained fighting to have taken place between the main parties since May,” according to the spokesman.
He added that the fighting reportedly resulted in the displacement of approximately 4,000 civilians. However, humanitarian sources are estimating the number to be significantly higher.
Over 40,000 people were displaced within northern Jonglei since early November, according to the aid agency OCHA.
File photo: Gen. Paul Malong (left), Gen. Marial Chanuong (center), and Gen. Salva Kiir (right) at Juba Airport (Radio Tamazuj)
Related:
Unclear who controls Fangak after clashes (28 Nov.)
SPLA-Juba officials admit attacking Pigi County (5 Nov.)
S Sudan army admits launching major attacks just before May accord (22 May)