The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have reported the capture of an armed civilian after an attack on their Wei-Yar-Adiu barracks in Nasir County on Thursday morning.
SSPDF Spokesperson Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang told Radio Tamazuj that a group of armed young men from the area assaulted the barracks at around 8:30am.
Koang stated that the attackers were repelled by the Army, resulting in no casualties on either side.
“Meanwhile, while they were engaging our forces, there was a separate group of armed youth from Nasir County who was against some of these individuals that kept on attacking our position or targeting our soldiers whenever they went about their business. They launched a counterattack, or flanking attack, meaning they attacked them from the rear and as a result, they were able to capture one armed civilian,” Koang said.
“Now that one raider was captured, he will help us find out the reasons behind them or other groups that keep on attacking our position. In the last 2 or 3 months, we have had problems with local armed youth, so his capture will help us have an idea of their workings and their pervasive activities,” Koang elaborated.
He added that SSPDF and the local authorities were continuing their efforts to stabilize the area and understand the motives behind the recent violence.
The incident follows an ambush on Wednesday, in which three SSPDF officers were killed and two others were injured by unknown gunmen in the same county. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the local militia known as the White Army may be involved in the confrontations.
The National MP for Nasir, Reath Muoch Tang, on Wednesday voiced concerns about the ongoing conflict between civilians and SSPDF soldiers. Tang urged the National Government’s intervention.
Calls to the local authorities in Nasir town went unanswered.