The commissioner of Pigi County in Jonglei State said the SSPDF repulsed an attack by a combined force of the SPLA-IO and the White Army, a force comprised of armed Nuer youth, on the county headquarters, Canal, on Saturday.
A few days ago, local authorities had warned of a looming attack.
Pigi County, located on the northern edge of Jonglei State, sits at the confluence of the Sobat and Nile Rivers, just south of Malakal.
The commissioner told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that the security situation remains tense and civilians have deserted the entire county following Saturday’s clashes.
“The county headquarters, Canal, came under attack by SPLA-IO forces on Saturday at 5 a.m. Our SSPDF forces repelled the attackers, and Canal is now under our full control,” Deng stated. “SSPDF lost 2 servicemen and had three others injured. On the side of the attackers, we found 27 dead, 10 injured, and 2 others captured as prisoners of war (POWs).”
He added: “The two POWs and the SPLA-IO soldiers who were injured have been transported to Malakal Town, and since yesterday (Saturday), there has been no attack.”
Commissioner Deng, however, warned of further escalation as retreating opposition forces regroup to attack.
“The defeated attacking force retreated to the areas of Atar, Diel, Khorwai, and Mat, where they are now regrouping to attack again,” he disclosed. “Our forces are now on standby as the entire civil population fled to Obeel, Dlep Hill, and Panam, near Malakal.”
“My civilians in the locations to which they have been displaced are in a dire humanitarian situation because they have been forced to flee with no food or clothes,” he said. “So, we appeal to aid agencies to come to their aid.”
Upper Nile Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Mayen Akon said fighting broke out in Canal after an attack by the White Army, but security forces repelled the assault.
“After the clash, the attackers fled, leaving several people dead and others wounded,” he said. “The situation in Canal has been calm since Saturday and remains so today.”
The White Army group in the area could not immediately be reached for comment.