Fighting breaks out near Nasir as army attacks opposition base, civilians

JUBA – Fighting has broken out in Upper Nile state’s Nasir County after soldiers belonging to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) went out to attack opposition base and civilian villages at Ketbet, according to a senior government official in Nasir town.

According to the opposition official who refused not to be named, the fighting began when unidentified armed criminals killed a high-ranking South Sudan army officer and took at least give guns following the attack.

“Briefly, on Sunday 20^th June 2021, armed criminals came and killed one of the SSPDF officers identified as 2^nd Lt. Deng Marol at Wath-wäär Check Point. Criminals have taken two civilian guns, two soldier guns and one police gun total of five guns,” the official who requested not to be named said.

In response, the SSPDF when on to detain civilians at a village in Dinkar Payam and intentionally killed a man identified as Duol Wanding from Ulang county.

“At around 6pm the same day, SSPDF elements detained unarmed civilians couple who came through Dinkar Payam, they intentionally killed the man by the name Duol Wanding Thich from Cië-Mach-Lony in Ulang County,” the official said.

“At around 8pm, also elements from SSPDF went and attacked SPLA-IO Military Barrack at Ketbek. As a result, two men, and one woman were badly wounded, they are being transferred to Ulang County for further treatment. County authority and security forces are working to control the situations,” the official added.