The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) say that the warring parties in Leer in Unity State have exchanged artillery fire. They are calling for the parties to 'cease the rhetoric of incitement'.

A statement published by the mission's principal public information officer yesterday on its website said, “UNMISS Force in Leer town have reported heavy artillery and gunfire exchanges between SPLA and  SPLA in Opposition leading to several reported deaths and the continued displacement of the civilian population in the area into the bush and swamps.”

The peacekeepers did not provide more information about the artillery exchange. 

A spokesman for the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, which oversees ceasefire monitors, did not yet respond to a request for comment on the fighting in Leer and elsewhere.

Earlier, James Yoach, spokesman of the SPLA-IO faction in Unity State, told Radio Tamazuj that they clashed with Salva Kiir’s forces in Thonyor, Ding-ding and Mirnyal areas on Sunday afternoon.

He accused the government forces of attacking their positions in those areas. Yoach claimed that they killed over 40 government soldiers during the clashes, while admitting that about two soldiers were killed and five others wounded from their side.

For his part, Brig. Lul Ruai Koang, spokesman of the SPLA, confirmed the clashes in Unity state. However, he didn’t give further details about the clashes. 

The UN says it condemns “any calls for a return to the violence that has plagued this country, and urges all parties to cease the rhetoric of incitement, which is not the answer to South Sudan’s problems.” 

UNMISS spokesperson added, “We encourage all parties to put the people of South Sudan first, and work to bring an end to suffering of the people of this country.”