The opposition National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirillo has accused the South Sudanese army (SSPDF) of attacking its positions in some parts of Liria and Lobonok areas of Central Equatoria State.
In a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, NAS said the SSPDF attacked its positions at Lowe on the Juba-Torit road on July 16.
“NAS forces fought back in self-defense, countering the enemy in two successful ambushes. In these ambushes, five SSPDF soldiers were killed in action and many sustained injuries,” the statement reads in part.
A similar attack, it further stated, occurred in Lobonok County on July 18 when SSPDF troops launched an attack from two axes on positions of NAS.
It added, “One attack was using the assembled forces at Mangat area at Aru junction, through Muli to Nyarbanga while the other force was closing in from Lobonok to Karpeto.”
The hold-out opposition group, which is not a party to the 2018 revitalized peace deal, said it remains committed to the cessation of hostilities deal signed in 2017, but reserves the right to self-defense.
For his part, SSPDF spokesman Lul Ruai Koang refuted the accusations by the National Salvation Front that the government forces had launched attacks on its positions.
"We do not have information about the attacks, what we know is that the National Salvation Front does not have any presence in Lobonok and Liria. The information we have is that the opposition group is in Yei and Amadi areas only," said Lul.
He added, "But if there is fighting in Liria and Lobonok areas, it may be between the government army and criminals."