Rebels admit losing control of Lasu, Yei River state

File photo: Rebel fighters hold up their rifles as they walk in front of a bushfire in a rebel-controlled territory in Upper Nile State, February 13, 2014. (REUTERS)

South Sudanese rebels loyal to former First Vice-President, Riek Machar have acknowledged losing control of Lasu in Yei River state, which had been one of their strongholds in the region.

Rebel deputy spokesman Paul Lam Gabriel told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that they lost control of Lasu after a fresh government offensive last week. He pointed out that three soldiers were killed from their side.

For his part, spokesman of the SPLA army in Juba accused the rebels of attacking their forces in the town of Lasu, saying their forces were fighting in self-defense.