South Sudan’s military on Tuesday claimed to have crushed SPLA-IO forces and their allied White Army militia in northern Jonglei state, a key opposition stronghold, following weeks of heavy fighting.
General Paul Nang Majok, Chief of Defense Forces for the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), announced the capture of Pieri Payam in Uror County, describing it as the “heart” of the insurgency.
“I want to tell the people of Lou Nuer that the SPLA-IO, which has been lying to you, is now crushed,” Nang said in Pieri, surrounded by jubilant troops.
“Borchaar tank is here, I have captured it. Borchaar is here, here it is,” Nang announced, gesturing to the tank. “My message to the Lou Nuer is: leave SPLA-IO and White Army. We are not going to leave this area.”
“The army weapons taken from us by the White Army and SPLA-IO must be brought back,” the army chief stressed, signaling that the current occupation of Pieri is part of a broader “mopping up” operation.
The SSPDF forces also displayed the captured main battle tank, nicknamed “Borchaar,” which they described as an “iconic” asset used by the rebel SPLA-IO in previous offensives.
Tactical Shift and Apologies
The capture of Pieri, located roughly 20 kilometers from the Uror County headquarters in Yuai, follows a massive mobilization by the SSPDF. Government forces had been pushed back in December and early January after SPLA-IO troops overran garrisons in Yuai and Waat.
The atmosphere of victory was marked by an unusual public apology from General Johnson Olony, the SSPDF assistant chief of defense forces for disarmament. Olony sought to walk back previous “scorched earth” directives he had issued in Duk County.
“For the remarks I made that spare no lives, not even a chicken, I apologize,” Olony said.
He urged civilians to return to their homes in Uror County, promising that a forthcoming disarmament campaign would be conducted in coordination with local community chiefs.
SPLA-IO Silent
In the capital, Juba, military spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang congratulated government forces for “recapturing all bases” lost during the SPLA-IO’s December offensive in Jonglei. He urged the Lou Nuer civilian population to “delink themselves from all subversive activities.”
The SPLA-IO has yet to issue a statement regarding the claims of “defeat” or the loss of their primary battle tank in Jonglei.
Mobile phone networks have been cut amid ongoing military operations, leaving local sources in Uror County unreachable. However, several sources told Radio Tamazuj that the SPLA-IO’s main battle tank was captured after it developed mechanical problems.
Conflict in northern Jonglei has intensified since late 2025, displacing thousands of civilians. While the SSPDF now claims control of major hubs in northern Jonglei, the region remains a volatile flashpoint in South Sudan’s fragile security landscape.