The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) said Sunday they had retaken the strategic town of Nasir from the White Army militia group after more than a month of occupation.
The White Army, a Nuer civilian militia, seized Nasir in Upper Nile State on March 4. The distance from Nasir to Malakal, the state capital, is 185 kilometers (115 miles).
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, an SSPDF spokesman, confirmed the military’s return to Nasir County in an interview with Radio Tamazuj but did not provide details on the operation.
“We are back in Nasir, where we are waiting for detailed information from the commanding officer who led the troops,” Koang said. “One of our core principles is to take ultimate care during military actions to avoid or minimize collateral damage.”
When asked about rumors of Ugandan military involvement in the operation, Koang declined to comment. “I’m not ready to discuss anything regarding the UPDF,” he said, referring to the Uganda People’s Defense Forces. “I can confirm to you that the SSPDF is back in Nasir.”
Local sources in Nasir County also confirmed to this publication that the SSPDF entered Nasir without encountering resistance, as the White Army had withdrawn before their arrival.
“Nasir was evacuated before the arrival of the SSPDF, exactly like what happened in Ulang County recently,” one source said.
Bang Hoth Yuel, a representative of the opposition SPLM-IO in Ethiopia, also confirmed the SSPDF’s presence in Nasir. He said government forces clashed with the White Army in Yomding and Kuich areas before moving into the town of Nasir.
“As I speak to you now, the SSPDF forces are in Nasir, but more details are unavailable,” he added.
The White Army captured Nasir last month after clashes that killed SSPDF commander Gen. David Majur Dak.
Nasir, located near the Ethiopian border, has been a flashpoint in South Sudan’s ongoing unrest. The White Army has played a significant role in past violence, often opposing government forces.