The SPLA-IO faction allied to former vice president Riek Machar says that it has withdrawn from Morobo and Kaya areas in South Sudan’s Yei River State, after attempting to take the two towns since last Thursday.

Kiri Bennett, spokesman of the SPLA-IO faction in Central Equatoria, told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that their forces withdrew from Morobo and Kaya areas on Saturday.

“Our forces were not ready to fight, but they were attacked in their defensive positions, we managed to capture those areas, but we have withdrawn from those areas, “said Bennet.

The rebel spokesman claimed that the security situation was calm in Central Equatoria State, while accusing government forces of attacking their positions in the area.

Last week, the SPLA-IO faction aligned to Riek Machar claimed that they captured Morobo town and that they also dispatched forces to capture Kaya town last Thursday.