SPLA-IO and Lam Akol’s forces traded accusations over clashes at Hamra area in northern Upper Nile State over the past two days.
SPLA-IO military spokesperson William Gatjiath Deng told Radio Tamazuj that the National Democratic Movement forces commanded by Gen. Gabriel Tanginye attacked their positions on Tuesday and Wednesday at Hamra area but they were repulsed.
“They attacked us at Hamra, but we sent additional troops and we managed to repulse them from the area. We captured one tank and some military equipment,” said Gatjiath.
He claimed that they killed about 37 soldiers from Lam Akol’s forces and seized some military equipment. He accused the current government in Juba of supporting Lam Akol’s forces in Upper Nile.
For his part, Emmanuel Aban, spokesperson of the National Democratic Movement led by Lam Akol, instead accused forces loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar of attacking their positions at Hamra area.
Emmanuel pointed out that their forces killed more than 25 SPLA-IO soldiers during clashes on Tuesday. He denied claims that they incurred heavy losses during yesterday’s fighting. He pointed out that they are still controlling the area of Hamra.
He said yesterday.” They attacked us yesterday morning at Hamra which is our headquarters, so they came from Kaka and attacked us, but we repulsed them. We killed about 25 soldiers from their side,” he said.