The military spokesman of the SPLA-IO, which signed a peace agreement with the government last month, has accused government helicopters of attacking their forces on Tuesday.
Col. William Gatjiath Deng, military spokesman of the rebel group SPLM/A-IO, said that government helicopter gunships bombarded their bases on Wednesday in the morning at 11:00. and in the afternoon at 16:00 and 17:00.
They targeted SPLA-IO forces in Lelo, Warjok and Detang on the west bank of the Nile, he said.
He also claimed, “The regime forces in Malakal shelled the same areas using artillery, D-30s, tanks. A forces of 250 government soldiers crossed to the west bank to attack our said bases.”
“Fighting will start soon. These acts are blatant violations of the permanent ceasefire which may lead to unraveling of the peace agreement.”
However, Gatjiath said the SPLA-IO is still committed ot the permanent ceasefire but called on the IGAD Plus and internatinoa lcommunity to stop the government’s violatinos.