BOR – Fighting erupted early Monday morning between rival factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, killing one soldier and injuring two others, according to local authorities.
The clashes broke out in Pieri town, Uror County, between forces loyal to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, who leads the main SPLA-IO faction, and those aligned with the breakaway SPLA-IO Kitgwang group led by Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual.
Uror County Commissioner James Gatkhor Gatluak confirmed the incident, saying the situation remained tense, though efforts were underway to calm the rival forces.
“The fighting started at around 2 a.m. when soldiers from the SPLA-IO under Nathaniel Oyet attacked forces loyal to Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual,” Commissioner Gatkhor told Sudans Post. “One soldier was killed, and two others were wounded on both sides.”
He added that the injured fighters were still in the custody of their respective factions, and it was not immediately clear whether they would be taken for medical treatment.
According to Gatkhor, the confrontation stemmed from a dispute over the control of a military tank reportedly held by the Kitgwang faction. By midday, Machar’s forces had captured both the tank and the Kitgwang base in Pieri.
“The situation is now relatively calm, but we have urged civilians to stay alert. We have also dispatched delegations to mediate between the groups to prevent further escalation,” he said. “Civilians have not yet fled, but we may advise them to relocate if tensions rise again.”
As a precaution, flights to Pieri airstrip were suspended following the outbreak of violence to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members. Authorities did not immediately confirm whether the suspension affected humanitarian or commercial flights.
The SPLA-IO split in August 2021 after Gen. Gatwech Dual announced the formation of a breakaway faction, accusing Machar of compromising the group’s objectives under the revitalized peace agreement. Sporadic clashes between the rival factions have since persisted in parts of Upper Nile and Jonglei states.
