The governor of Upper Nile State, Gen. James Koang Chuol, confirmed Tuesday that the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have taken full control of areas in Nasir County near the border with Ethiopia, previously held by the White Army, a loose band of armed Nuer youths.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Chuol said the border areas, including the payams of Jikmir and Burebiey, were brought under SSPDF control Monday. He stated that troops from Nasir town captured the last remaining villages along the border, cutting off supply routes from Ethiopia to Akobo and Nasir.
“The takeover happened on Monday afternoon when SSPDF forces from Nasir captured the final towns at the Ethiopia border,” Chuol said.
When asked about casualties, Chuol said there were no confrontations between the SSPDF and the White Army.
“Our forces did not meet any resistance. The area has been deserted by the White Army, so no casualties were recorded,” he said.
The governor noted that while Upper Nile State’s security situation is generally under control, there have been reports of clashes on the other side of the Nile River in Fangak County of Jonglei State.
Chuol said the SSPDF is now in full control of the border.
“You know, Nasir and Ulang towns were previously controlled by the White Army, but we took control exactly in April. But yesterday, our forces decided to go to the border,” he said.
Gen. James Tongyik Wang, an opposition commander who was near the South Sudan-Ethiopia border, confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that the SSPDF controlled Burebiey and Jikmir payams and the border with Ethiopia.
“The truth is that the government has reached Jikmir. The truth must be said. The government chased the White Army in Jikmir. There was confrontation in Jikmir, and everyone was chased,” he said.
According to Tongyik, the government also carried out airstrikes in Torkei, Mandeng and other villages.
“All were chased here. And the government also bombed people by air. They carried out strikes in Torkei and Mandeng,” he said.
Tongyik said the incident began when government forces entered Nyetot village and burned civilian houses.
“They came with tanks and burned a place called Nyetot and burned houses,” he added.
The SSPDF retook the strategic town of Nasir from the White Army on April 20 after more than a month of occupation. The White Army had seized Nasir in Upper Nile State on March 4 following clashes with the army.
Conflicts in eastern parts of Upper Nile State began last year between the SSPDF and the White Army but intensified earlier this year.