South Sudan army says it repulsed Ugandan army attack on Eastern Equatoria village

JUBA – The South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) has said that it has repulsed an attack by Ugandan military forces on a border village in the country’s Eastern Equatoria state on Tuesday, according to a statement issued army spokesman Major-General Lul Ruai Koang.

Earlier this afternoon, John  Ochan, a lawmaker representing Magwi County in Eastern Equatoria state said Ugandan army attacked a SSPDF outpost at Pogee village in Eastern Equatoria state killing two SSPDF soldiers before walking away with their bodies.

In a statement this afternoon, General Lul confirmed the UPDF attack, but said it was repulsed following a brief takeover of the SSPDF outpost by the UPDF, saying the attackers were heavily armed.

“On October 27th, 2020, at about 1PM, a mechanized Unit of Ugandan People’s Defense Forces made a major incursion into our territory. UPDF armed with heavy artillery pieces and light military trucks mounted with 12.7mm machine guns launched cross border attack on own Defensive Border outpost at Pogee in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State,” Lul said in the statement.

“SSPDF Squad sized force heroically fought to protect territorial integrity of our beloved Country. However, that small force was outnumbered, outgunned and was temporarily forced to retreat. A hasty counterattack code named “Operation Restore Territorial Integrity of the Republic of South Sudan” was launched to flush out mechanized Units of UPDF,” he added.

The statement further said “As things stand, SSPDF had regained full control of Pogee, reinforced and strengthened own defensive postures along the borders with Uganda. The brief clash resulted in own two dedicated Servicemen getting killed in action while a third was captured.

“Reliable intelligence reports indicated UPDF had lost two servicemen as well. UPDF is currently in custody of remains of fallen comrades along with their personal assault rifles.

“Bilpam had established contacts with UPDF leadership on unprovoked incursion and the later had in turn promised to handover remains of fallen soldiers along with their guns as well as the serviceman taken as PoW. Handing over ceremony is expected to take place in the next few days.

“SSPDF reiterates its commitment to maintenance of cordial relations with UPDF but was saddened by chameleonic behaviors of that army from supposedly sisterly country.”