An unconfirmed number of SPLA soldiers loyal to South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir were killed and others wounded in an ambush by Johnson Olony’s forces in Kaka area of Upper Nile State, a local official said.

Manyo County Commissioner Rajab Deng Ajak told Radio Tamazuj that the government forces were ambushed by the rebels, killing several soldiers and wounding others after entering Kaka area without any resistance.

The commissioner said fighting erupted between the government forces and rebels in Kaka area on Sunday.

He accused the rebels of attacking them at Daba area. 

“The rebels attacked us and then we pursued them until Kaka, but in Kaka the rebels used their steamboat coved with straw in the river, and we didn’t know that there was a steamboat in the river. That’s why we retreated back to Kaka Marou,” he explained.

“After the fighting we withdrew to Kaka Marou area, about 10 minutes driving from Kaka area,” he said.

The official said that the rebels loyal to Gen. Johnson Olony control three payams in Manyo County while they control two.

“Now I am remaining with Thor Guang and Wadakona payams. We lost Kaka, Kuoja, and Adu-thuoi payams after the rebels came and attacked us in the area,” Rajab told Radio Tamazuj.

He further said about nine wounded soldiers arrived recently in the county headquarters, adding they were still looking for other soldiers who are missing.