The South Sudanese army has managed to retain control of Poktap while rebels overran other parts of Duk County, officials told Radio Tamazuj.

The fighting in Duk County ends a period of calm that saw some displaced people starting to return northward into the county. 

Earlier this week rebels attacked and took control of Duk Payuel and Poktap in Duk County in Jonglei State, as announced by authorities and also confirmed by the national government in a press conference in Juba. 

SPLA forces have since recaptured Poktap, Twic East Commisioner Dau Akoi confirmed to Radio Tamazuj yesterday morning, saying he would confirm later whether they also will recapture Duk Payuel. 

“Our youth managed to repulsed the rebels from Poktap and we shall hear later news about Payuel at evening,” said the commissioner.

Yesterday morning also the Duk County Commisioner Elijah Mochnom dispelled a rumor that he had been killed. Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, he said this was a lie spread by the rebels. 

For his part, the national member of parliament representing Duk County, Philip Thon Leek said there were several attacks in Duk County but the local youths were still managing to defend the county.

The attacks were confirmed by the rebel command, whose spokesman Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang on Tuesday told Sudan Tribune, that their forces “this morning liberated Mareng, an administrative headquarters of Duk county, along with other government military outposts of Pajut, Duk Deng, Patuo-Noy and Poktap.”

He claimed that government troops were retreating towards Twic East County, and stated the intention of the opposition forces – a mix of regular troops and ‘volunteers’ – to advance on the state capital Bor.

File photo: A rebel fighter carries a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher in a rebel camp in Jonglei State, Feb. 1, 2014 (Reuters)

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