7 killed as SSPDF, NAS rebels clash in Central Equatoria

JUBA – At least six soldiers belonging to the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka, and one service member belonging to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), have been killed following a deadly clash on Wednesday morning in Central Equatoria state’s Lainya County.

South Sudan army spokesman Major-General Lul Ruai Koang said, as quoted by Juba-based Eye Radio, the rebel forces launched attack at dawn on Wednesday against SSPDF garrison in Mukaya Payam of Lainya County saying the attack was repulsed and that six members of the NAS were killed in addition to one SSPDF soldier.

“The NAS forces came and attacked our position called Kinda, Kinda is much closer to Mukaya in Lainya county of Central Equatoria State, our forces repulsed the attackers,” Lul said.

“Six of the attackers were killed and the dead bodies were found in the battlefield. On our side, one of our servicemen was killed and another was wounded in action,” he said.

He further revealed that the “the security situation is restored; they came and attacked our position so they were repulsed.”