Government forces have reoccupied Melut just a day after the town was captured by opposition forces on Tuesday, multiple sources confirmed to Radio Tamazuj.

SPLM-IO rebel spokesman James Gatdet Dak acknowledged in a press statement this evening that their forces withdrew from the town in order to reorganize.

“Our forces have tactically withdrawn to a few kilometers outside Melut town in order to reorganize for the next move. It is to be recalled that we captured the town on Tuesday. We have also remained in full control of Thiangrial refinery site in the area,” he said.

Separately, a government source yesterday confirmed that there were clashes near Thiangrial. UN peacekeepers also confirmed there was heavy fighting in Melut.

Reports of the capture of the Paloich oil fields have not proven reliable. In his statement today, Gatdet did to claim that their forces had captured the oil fields but claimed the fields were “beseiged.” He noted, “We intend to avoid a takeover that may damage oil facilities.”

Paloich is located to the east of Melut, a distance of about one hour by car.

Gatdet also claimed that they shot down a helicopter gunship on Wednesday in Melut. Radio Tamazuj has not yet independently verified this claim.

File photo: General Johnson Olony, who defected from South Sudan's army last week and attacked Melut on Tuesday