Fighting broke out early Monday in Pigi County in Jonglei State after the opposition SPLA-IO attacked a government military base, a local official said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Pigi County Commissioner Suleiman Deng said the clashes occurred around 3 a.m. in Mat Boma of Wunlith Payam, when South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) troops came under attack.
“The SPLA-IO forces attacked the SSPDF base in Mat Boma,” Deng said. “The attack was heavy and well organized, but our forces repelled them and they retreated toward Ayok village in Khorwai Payam.”
Deng said the fighting lasted about an hour and left two SSPDF soldiers injured. He said it was unclear whether there were casualties on the SPLA-IO side.
“The county is calm now,” he said.
Pigi County lies on the northern edge of Jonglei State, at the confluence of the Sobat and Nile rivers, just south of Malakal.
The SPLA-IO command in Pigi County could not immediately be reached for comment. However, Lt. Col. Khor Nyang Mabor, spokesperson for the SPLA-IO’s 3rd Infantry Division based in neighboring Nyirol County, said he was not aware of the incident and had not yet received reports confirming the involvement of SPLA-IO forces.
Tensions remain high in Jonglei State following recent clashes between government and opposition forces in Uror and Duk counties.