2 SPLA-IO commanders allied to Machar killed during Magenis fighting

JUBA — At least two opposition forces allied to South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny have reportedly been killed during Magenis fighting, a senior opposition commander allied to Gatwech said.

General William Gatjiath Deng, a senior member of the SPLA-IO faction allied to General Gatwech said forces loyal to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny attempted this morning to take over Magenis but we’re defeated killing at least two major generals in the ranks.

“This morning, there was fighting In Magenis because the forces of Dr. Riek attempted to harm General Gatwech Dual. They were coming from the direction of Kuek and from there, they were crushed and two major generals have been killed from their site,” Gatjiath told Sudans Post from Kitgwang, Magenis.

When asked to identify the two senior Machar commanders killed during the fighting, Gatjiath said they won’t be revealed now because of security reasons saying they are also “trying to contain the situation.”

For his part, Lam Paul Gabriel said the two opposition commanders were loyal to a General Simin Gatwech Dual, saying their forces defeated and crushed the opposing site led by Olony and Gatwech.

“This morning the 7/08/2021 at about 6:30AM, the anti peace forces of Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual moved out of their trenches in Magenis and launched an aggressive attacks against the SPLA-IO forces in Gezan,” he confirmed.

“The SPLA-IO forces responded in self-defence and repulsed the aggressors back to Magenis killing two Major Generals and over 27 enemy soldiers. The SPLA-IO force destroyed one APC, Zuu 23 and 14.5mm, and also captured one Ural mounted with Zuu 23, and over 20 Ak47,” he added.