South Sudanese government forces have clashed with armed Mundari youths near Juba since yesterday, according to sources in the Central Equatoria government.

A military source said clashes on Monday started near Khor Jamus and lasted for a couple of hours resulting in three casualties from the SPLA side.

After the reinforcement from SPLA headquarters including tanks the clashes continued for another three hours during which the number of casualties from the SPLA side rose to  4 and the Mundari youth six before the youths retereated northward behind Jebel Ladu.

It remains unclear whether they will regroup or not. The road between Juba and Terekeka has been closed. SPLA spokesman Philip Aguer could not be reached for comment. Alphons Modi, sultan of the Mundari tribe in Terekeka, said that he did not have information about the events.

In another development, some chiefs and sub-chiefs in South Bari have been summoned by the state government for security questioning.