William Bajuoc Bakuet, Unity State Security Advisor, said today that South Sudanese rebels attacked an army position near Pariang County in Unity State on Wednesday evening.

“Yesterday on the side of Pariang at a place called Tom South in the western part of Pariang County, there was a clash between the SPLA-IO of Riek Machar and our forces in the area but they were repulsed immediately,” Bajuoc said.

The advisor noted that the fighting did not last long because the SPLA forces were ready for the attack

After the clash, the rebels returned to the bush in the direction of Panakuach where they were reported to have come from, he said.

Citing the commanding SPLA officer in the area, William said the fighting lasted only a few minutes. No casualties were reported so far: “I was in contact with Deng Mayiik, the commanding officer to send me details of the clashes but until now he did not send me casualties.”

Other military sources told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that clashes were reported near Nasser and in Unity State, without providing details. The Ministry of Defense and army spokesman could not be reached for comment.

In another development, the Unity State Security Advisor dismissed rumors that all the state cabinet ministers are in Juba, not present on the ground in Unity State.

“No that statement was not true, these people are all here with me, and I want to tell you that the work is progressing well because the area is calm,” he said.