SSPDF claims to have inflicted heavy losses on White Army in Upper Nile clashes

JUBA – The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has asserted that its troops in Upper Nile State inflicted a significant and “unforgettable lesson” on the White Army during recent fighting in Ulang and Nasir counties, where violence has been escalating between the army and armed civilians.

This statement follows the military’s announcement last week that their forces had regained control of Ulang county headquarters after nearly a month of occupation by the White Army, an ethnic Nuer militia that previously fought alongside the main armed opposition SPLA-IO during the country’s 2013-2018 civil war.

Speaking to Sudans Post in Juba on Wednesday, army spokesman Major General Lul Ruai Koang stated that while the military retook Nasir and Ulang counties without encountering resistance upon entry, the SSPDF had engaged the militia in a prior battle near Ulang, delivering a decisive blow.

“We took Nasir without a single bullet being fired. [This is because] in a place called Nyang in Ulang county, we taught them a lesson they will never forget in their life. They lost a lot of armed civilians from the White Army,” Major General Koang told Sudans Post, without providing specific details on the number of casualties.

While the army spokesperson did not elaborate on the extent of the losses suffered by the militia, the SSPDF recently re-established control over the two counties, which had been under the control of the armed civilians for approximately two months.

Conversely, the White Army has claimed to have inflicted substantial casualties on the SSPDF. The militia has also asserted that they captured dozens of SSPDF-allied fighters, whom they described as innocent youth forcibly conscripted by the army in Malakal to fight on its behalf in Upper Nile.

“Our forces captured these prisoners of war following the defeat of SSPDF and Agwelek forces in the Uwach. They’ve revealed that they are civilians and fishermen who were forcibly recruited in Malakal, armed, and sent to the frontlines to fight against the Nuer,” a White Army soldier stated in a video circulating on social media, standing in front of individuals identified as prisoners of war.

In recent developments, the White Army also launched an attack on Pigi County headquarters in Jonglei State, situated at the confluence of the Sobat and White Nile rivers.

Further clashes were reported southeast of Malakal. In a statement, the White Army accused the “genocidal” army of initiating attacks against them in Pigi County and other parts of Jonglei State.

“The South Sudan genocidal army SSPDF and Dinka militia of Pigi county attacked our positions in Fangak this morning. The NDF repelled the attack and in the process captured Atar town. The enemy have run to Canal town and our forces are in active pursuit,” a White Army spokesman said on condition of anonymity.