SSPDF blames ongoing fighting in Upper Nile State on SPLA-IO, White Army

JUBA – The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has blamed the ongoing fighting in Upper Niles State on the Sudan People’s Liberation Army – in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and White Army.

The SSPDF on Tuesday launched a massive operation using airstrikes targeting civilians in Ulang County and surrounding regions, where armed civilians, known as the White Army, are based.

The airstrikes come amid heightened tensions over the alleged deployment of SSPDF forces to Nasir County, raising concerns of renewed conflict in the area.

On Wednesday, the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) issued a statement warning of looming attacks by SPLA-IO and its allied White Army on  Baliet County of Upper Nile State.

The Bilpham office blamed the planned attack against innocent civilians on the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) supported by white forces from Nasir and Ulang.

Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai, SSPDF Spokesperson, reported that intelligence and aerial surveillance had spotted a huge number of SPLA-IO and White Army militia forces advancing to attack Baliet towns.

“In the last two weeks, SPL-IO and its affiliated militias, namely white armies from Ulang, Nasir, and even Nyirol County of Jonglei State, had mobilized large numbers with the initial objective of thwarting the planned rotation of troops in Nasir,” Lul said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

“However, the latest intelligence received indicated that,

Lul said according to latest intelligence report, the SPLA-IO and its allied White Army are planning to launch large scale offensive operations against innocent civilians in Baliet County.

He said the SSPDF deployed aerial surveillance and spotted two large columns of SPLM-IO forces and white armies advancing to Gelachel and Baliet town.

He said the looming attack forced the local populace to evacuate their houses.

“Based on human intelligence gathered and aerial surveillance conducted, there are real threats of armed confrontations erupting between SSPDF and the advancing enemy forces.”

To minimize bloodshed, the army ordered the united forces to cease hostilities, retreat, and disperse.

“Failure to adhere to aforementioned calls, SSPDF, will be compelled to launch pre-emptive air strikes as well as conduct hast meeting arrangement,” Lul warned.

However, effort to reach Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO spokesperson for comments were unsuccessful.