SPLA-IO claims to have repelled SSPDF advance in Uror County

UROR – The Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has claimed its forces inflicted heavy losses on South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and allied troops during clashes in Jonglei State, as fighting continues to escalate in the region.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel alleged that joint forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Government (SPLM-IG) had burned down Pathai village on Monday evening, accusing them of preparing to launch an attack on SPLA-IO positions in Uror County.

“The SPLM-IG joint forces that burned down Pathai yesterday evening with the aim of launching a flung attack against the SPLA-IO in Uror were ambushed and badly defeated this morning in Pabuong by the SPLA-IO forces with heavy casualties and are now being pursued towards Pakam,” Lam said in the statement.

The SPLA-IO did not provide specific casualty figures, and independent verification of the claims remains difficult due to limited access to the affected areas.

There was no immediate comment from the SSPDF regarding the reported ambush or the alleged burning of Pathai.

However, recent weeks have seen renewed hostilities in parts of Jonglei, raising concerns among humanitarian agencies over civilian displacement and access constraints.

Local sources contacted by Sudans Post reported sporadic gunfire in parts of Uror and neighbouring areas, though details of the clashes could not be independently confirmed.

The latest fighting comes amid heightened political and military tensions between forces aligned to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, despite the Revitalized Peace Agreement that formally ended large-scale hostilities since 2018.

Humanitarian observers warn that continued clashes in Jonglei risk worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation, with thousands of civilians previously displaced by violence in the state.