At least four Sudanese army soldiers were killed and another two captured in an ambush laid by SPLA forces at oil fields in Pariang County in South Sudan’s Unity state last week, according to the state advisor for security affairs.
Advisor John Malok told Radio Tamazuj that armed elements of the Sudanese military intelligence were caught trying to loot copper cables in the oil fields.
“About four SAF soldiers were killed on the spot and another two arrested in that skirmish,” he said.
He claimed that the arrested soldiers confessed that they are from Sudan’s military intelligence branch.
The state-owned television SSTV had displayed the two arrested soldiers over the last few days.
Separate, extensive deployment of government troops was also seen around the oil fields which have been vandalized by Sudanese soldiers.
Unity State Deputy Governor Mabek Lang Mading also confirmed that some suspects were caught red-handed cutting the copper wires in Toma South and Khath El Nar oilfields.
“If it is not even the Sudan army and if it is something done by individuals they must also account for their individuals for doing this because it can jeopardize our relationship if they continue doing it,” he said on the UN Radio Miraya.
“This is a resource that brings us together and we are sharing it; like now we are sharing transit fees and we are sharing this oil together with them. So why should they destroy it?” he asked.
On 1 August, Unity State Security Advisor John Malok also accused the Sudanese government of supporting the rebels to launch a fresh attack on Bentiu town.
Reacting to the news, the rebels’ spokesman in Unity State Gai Dang Kulang vehemently denied Malok’s claims that rebels were planning to attack Bentiu town.
“We cannot attack Bentiu town because we are in a truce with the government. So what was said by the security advisor was baseless,” he told Radio Tamazuj.
Clashes that erupted previously at Kuer Guiyni and Nhialdiu between government forces and defected troops were a result of an attack by the government, according to the rebel spokesman.
“Thus, when they fabricate such claims, it implies that it is they who plan to attack our positions in the state,” he said.
File photo: Damaged oil facility in Heglig, Sudan, 2012 (AFP)