At least 15 people, including a soldier, were killed on Saturday during clashes following attacks in Baliet County in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, local officials said.
Fighting erupted in the early hours when forces loyal to the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), alongside allied White Army fighters, attacked Baliet town, according to county authorities.
Images and videos circulating on social media appeared to show heavy gunfire and intense fighting in Baliet.
Baliet town is located 52 km north-east of Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State.
“The fighting was intense and lasted for about an hour,” Baliet County Commissioner Joseph Deng Anguei told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, adding that casualties were reported on both sides.
“A force of SPLA-IO and White Army fighters attacked the Baliet County headquarters at around 6 a.m., advancing from the directions of Nyokrial and Nyok-Kuac,” Deng said. “They attempted to break through our defensive lines but were repulsed.”
Deng said 15 people were killed on their side, including one soldier from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF). He added that civilian casualties were limited because residents had been evacuated ahead of the attack.
“The situation is calm across the county. Civilians did not flee but were relocated to safer areas after we received information that an attack was imminent,” he said.
The commissioner claimed that the attackers suffered heavy losses, estimating over 300 deaths, but the figure could not be independently verified by Radio Tamazuj.
A Baliet resident, Juma James, also confirmed the clashes, saying the fighting had since stopped.
“There was fighting in Baliet in the morning, but the attackers were pushed back and retreated towards Ulang County,” he said.
Attempts to reach SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel and White Army commanders in Ulang County for comment were unsuccessful.