The South Sudanese national army (SPLA) reported today that three of its soldiers were killed and 13 were wounded during fighting with SPLA-IO rebel group in Ayod yesterday.

“In Jonglei the rebels of Riek Machar attacked Ayod on the morning of the 25th at 5:30 and the attack lasted an hour and a quarter before they withdrew leaving 54 bodies of their soldiers on the field and SPLA is controlling Ayod,” said SPLA spokesman Philip Aguer.

He noted that on the side of the government they lost 13 wounded and 3 killed.

Commenting on clashes earlier this week in Unity State, Aguer also mentioned that SPLA forces never advanced all the way to Nhialdiu in spite of reports of clashes in the area. He clarified, “The fighting was in a place called Bil,” between Bentiu and Nhialdiu.