Gunfire was heard this morning on the west bank of the River Nile in South Sudan's Upper Nile state, with rebels alleging an attack by government forces.

In a statement to Radio Tamazuj, the United Nations mission in South Sudan reported that its staff at the Malakal airport heard small arms fire the north western direction of the airport, towards the west bank of the Nile River at 8:20 am.

UNMISS said forces on the ground have since informed them that the situation is now normal and that displaced people are being allowed to cross the river again.

Nyagwal Ajak Dengkak, the spokesperson for the SPLA-In Opposition's Agwelek forces, alleged that SPLA forces crossed the Nile to the west bank this morning before the shooting, and accused the government of attacking their positions near Makal Shilluk.

The SPLA said they did not have knowledge of the incident.