The two warring parties in South Sudan, SPLA-IO and SPLA-Juba, on Sunday accused each other of carrying out shelling in Upper Nile State.

Philip Aguer, the spokesman of the SPLA faction headquartered in Juba, accused the SPLA-IO of shelling various areas under their control in Upper Nile.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Aguer said SPLA-IO have been shelling their positions at Doleib Hill, Canal and Obel. He further said they repelled an attack on Wadakona in Manyo County, forcing the rebels to run toward Sudanese territory.

Meanwhile, SPLA-IO deputy military spokesman James Lony instead accused the SPLA-Juba of hiring foreign troops in the recent fighting over Renk town.

“Rwandan and Ugandan troops were involved in the fight over Renk,” he alleged.

Lony told Radio Tamazuj that those foreign forces have erected electrified security fences in areas around their posts in Renk and Paloich towns, which are near to oil-producing areas.

“They have also planted landmines in the area which are affecting local citizens,” he claimed.

File photo: Paul Malong, chief of staff of SPLA-Juba forces