At least 53 killed in SPLA Clash With Rebel Forces In Upper Nile

8th March 2011 – (Juba) –About fifty three people were killed and twenty eight others wounded when SPLA soldiers clashed with rebel forces in Upper Nile and Jonglei states.

SPLA spokesman, Colonel Philip Aguer Panyang narrated the Upper Nile incident to SRS on Tuesday.

[Philip Aguer]: “At 11am, forces of Ulony at Uwac village intercepted SPLA soldiers going for market on Sunday and started shooting at them killing one SPLA soldier. In response, the SPLA forces launched an attack on the camp of the renegade Ulony dispersing the militia group who left forty seven of their men dead, and the SPLA incurred seven dead and twenty eight wounded in the operations.”

Colonel Aguer further said that the attack on general George Athor’s forces in greater Fangak area on Monday was a preemptive precautionary attack.

[Philip Aguer]: “After receiving sufficient information and evidence that general George Athor forces are planning an attack on the SPLA position in Fangak and Pigi county, SPLA forces preempted general Athor D-day attacks to be on the 8th of March, 2011. The SPLA launch a preemptive and preventive counter-attack on George Athor’s headquarters in Kor-waai, which subsequently lead to the SPLA forces occupying the headquarters of general George Athor, and all the other bases of Patai, Tumkiel, and Korliet.”

The first clashes between SPLA forces and Ulony militias loyal to Robert Guang occurred on Sunday in Upper Nile state killing 53 militias and SPLA soldiers.

The second fighting took place in Jonglei state between SPLA and general George Athor’s group on Monday.