Both of South Sudan’s warring factions report that forces of the SPLA-Juba faction crossed the Sobat and Nile rivers earlier this week to attack SPLA-IO forces at positions in Pigi County.
The attacks came in response to attacks by SPLA-IO on SPLA-Juba positions on the northern bank of the Sobat at Doleib, according to the sources.
SPLA-Juba’s commissioner for Pigi County, Abraham Dau Gueng, said, “There was an infiltration of the rebel forces of Dr. Riek from Khor Fulus, they crossed the river toward Doleib toward the defenses of SPLA, and the forces clashed there before yesterday.”
“So the SPLA forces repulsed them to where they were staying in Khor Fulus, and they crossed back the Sobat River and were pursued to Khor Fulus until SPLA gained control of Khor Fulus, before yesterday,” he told Radio Tamazuj.
SPLA-IO military spokesman Lul Ruai likewise acknowledged in a statement on Tuesday, “government troops and militias…temporarily took control of Khor Fulus 48 hours ago.”
He added, however, that SPLA-IO forces under the command of Lt. Col. Thor Gang Lual counter-attacked and succeeded in dislodging the SPLA-Juba forces from their positions.
According to the commissioner, there were also clashes at Canal in Pigi County until Tuesday night, and in Atar and other small towns.
On Tuesday, Lul Ruai noted also, “Government forces supported by Johnson Olony’s militias today in the morning launched fresh attacks our positions in Fangak and Pigi Counties in northern Jonglei State.”
He said that one force crossed the White Nile from Tonga in Panyikang County, Upper Nile State and attacked at Tangbwong village, while another force in 12 speed boats mounted with machine guns approached Phom El Zaraf from Malakal town using the White Nile River.
SPLA-Juba spokesperson Philip Aguer confirmed clashes in Pigi County but stressed they came only in response to the recent assault on their positions around Doleib.
“Before four days the Riek Machar forces attempted an attack on Doleib and SPLA repulsed that attack and followed the rebels to Pigi County. So if there are clashes in Pigi County that is part of the pursuit of Riek Machar’s forces that tried to attack Doleib Hill and Malakal more than once,” he told Radio Tamazuj.
He stressed it was “not an attack but a pursuit” of retreating SPLA-IO raiders.
Pigi County is inhabited by two sub-clans of the Padang Dinka, the Atar and the Khor Fulus. They are bordered by the Gawaar Nuer and Lou Nuer to the west and south, and by the Shilluk to the north across the Nile, who historically claim the area.