A fresh wave of fighting erupted Wednesday morning in New Fangak, Jonglei State, between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and Agwelek forces on one side and a combined force of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the White Army.
Fangak County, located in northwestern Jonglei State, borders Ayod to the south, Pigi to the east, Panyikang in Upper Nile State to the northeast, Pariang in the Ruweng Administrative Area to the northwest, and Guit and Koch in Unity State to the west.
The area has seen repeated violence since tensions between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO escalated in late April. Fangak County has faced aerial bombardments, including a May 3 strike on Old Fangak Hospital by the SSPDF, with Ugandan military support.
Maj. Gen. Paromi Angui, commander of SSPDF’s special operations forces and deputy commander of the Agwelek militia in Upper Nile State, told Radio Tamazuj that fighting began in New Fangak after their forces came under heavy attack.
“This early morning at 5 a.m., we were attacked at our barracks in New Fangak town. We repulsed the attack, and the town is now under our control,” Angui said.
He reported dozens of casualties but declined to provide exact figures. “The attackers left behind several bodies. Our side, we have losses but very few. Since morning, we are collecting and counting the dead bodies, and it will be until later in the evening we may have a detailed report.”
Angui added that the town remained deserted. “There are no civilians with us in the town. But local youth are fighting us,” he said.
Meanwhile, SPLA-IO spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel claimed in a Facebook post that their forces had recaptured Phom from the SSPDF.
Residents of New Fangak told Radio Tamazuj they were fleeing once again.
“As you might know, we are here stranded in the swamps outside New Fangak town. This morning, we were woken up to the sound of heavy fire exchange and shelling of riverine areas. Many people died, and we have just been receiving some injured individuals,” one resident said.
Another resident, who identified herself only as Nyakuer, said hunger could claim lives as people remain trapped without aid.
“Food aid was supposed to come through the government-controlled areas, but nothing is coming because of this ongoing fighting. We are dying in swamps with our children,” she said.