SPLA-IO attack on Pigi town kills 27 in latest escalation

BOR – At least 25 opposition fighters from the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and two government soldiers were killed in a clash in the Jonglei State’s Pigi County on Saturday, a local official said, forcing thousands of civilians to flee.

Pigi County Commissioner Suleiman Deng Thon told Sudans Post this afternoon that SPLA-IO forces launched an attack around 5:00 AM local time on Saturday but were repulsed by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) after heavy fighting.

Deng stated that 25 SPLA-IO soldiers were killed, and two others wounded, adding they were receiving treatment at a local hospital. He also reported that two SSPDF soldiers were killed and three others injured.

“The SSPDF then repulsed the SPLA-IO attack and there were many losses from our brothers from the SPLA-IO. About 25 soldiers from them were martyred and two who were wounded and are now being treated in the state hospital,” Deng said.

He added that civilians from Pigi County had fled to areas such as Ashaab Al Nil, Obel, and Panom in Upper Nile State. Deng appealed to humanitarian organizations to provide urgent support to the displaced population.

“The government of Jonglei State has expressed solidarity with the people of Pigi County and has called upon humanitarian organizations to provide urgent support to those affected by the violence,” he said.

Tensions remain high in the area due to the continued presence of SPLA-IO forces, raising concerns about potential further attacks, Deng added.

Sudans Post geolocated a video purportedly showing SPLA-IO combatants near the northeast of Pigi town, on the southern bank of the Sobat River and eastern bank of the Jonglei Canal, discussing a possible attack on Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile state.

There was no immediate comment from SPLA-IO spokesman Lam Paul Gabriel. A person claiming to be an SPLA-IO officer, however, stated in the video that they had taken control of an SSPDF garrison and would “soon” announce the capture of Malakal.

“This is SPLA-IO’s division 7, loyal to Dr. Riek Machar in full control of the area of SSPDF and are now matching towards Malakal. Very soon, we will capture Malakal. SPLA-IO Viva,” the camera man speaking in the background said.

Meanwhile, Atar community leaders claimed in a statement dated April 19, 2025, that over 18,000 civilians had been displaced by the attack and were living in dire conditions in the Ashaab Al Nil neighborhood, south of Malakal, without basic necessities.

The Atar Community leadership asserted that the recent incident was a continuation of a long-standing issue, alleging that the same attackers had occupied parts of Pigi County since January 2014. They claimed that over 100 Atar community members were killed in the initial occupation, with hundreds more injured and forcibly displaced.

Paramount Chief of the Atar community, Thon Kur Lou, stated that the White Army and SPLA-IO forces involved in the Canal Town attack were in violation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement’s security arrangements.

“The Atar Community demands that their illegal militias immediately leave Atar lands and Pigi County, as well as that the Gawaar Community and SPLA – IO cease their unlawful occupation of their territory,” Kur said.