Two senior SPLA army generals have been killed in renewed fighting with rebels near the government-held town of Wau on Sunday, causing mounting tension and fear of further violence in the area.

Military sources and relatives confirmed to Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the head of military operations in the area, Brig. Gen. Peter Par and director of logistics, Abraham Bol Chut Dhuol were killed while returning back to Wau town from operation.

 The sources further said the two SPLA officers were killed together with their 12 bodyguards. They were accompanying the division commander and his deputy on their way back to Wau town.

 It was not immediately clear how the other army officers in the convoy survived the ambush laid by the opposition.

The director of military logistics, who has been killed under unclear circumstances, along with the head of military operations, is the young brother to Western Lakes Governor, Matur Chut Dhuol.

For his part, Gen. Magok Magok, deputy division commander in Wau, regretted the incident after praising the deceased and described them as “martyrs”. He said their death was a “big loss” to the nation and their families.

At least 16 civilians were killed and 10 others wounded when fighting spread to Wau town on Monday, the UN peacekeeping mission said in a statement.

Photo: South Sudan soldiers in Juba. [Credit: Jok Solomon]