Machar camp claims recapture of strategic town from SPLA
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December 31, 2013 (JUBA) – Rebel forces loyal to former Vice President
Riek Machar have declared that they managed to retake South Sudan’s
Jonglei state capital, Bor.
JPEG - 27.8 kb
Civilians queue outside the UNMISS compound in Bor, South Sudan on
December 18, 2013 (AFP Photo/Rolla Hinedi)
A Sudan Tribune reporter in Juba received a text message from one of
Machar’s aides reading "Machar forces recapture Bor town on Tuesday".
There was, however, no confirmation of losing Bor to rebels from South
Sudan’s army (SPLA) as phone calls to its spokesman, Philip Aguer were
not returned.
Heavy gunfire erupted Tuesday morning in the capital of the country’s
largest state, fading hopes for possible ceasefire between rebels and
government forces.
Bor was the center for much of the conflict during the 1983-2005
Sudanese civil war.
Multiple sources said armed Luo-Nuer youth, popularly known as the
White army, entered Bor area, days after government forces recaptured
the town, initially under rebel control.
“It is true that there is fighting going on right now around Bor,” a
resident told Sudan Tribune by phone.
“The fighting started at 7am and is continuing right now”, he added.
The armed youth, a military source said, were on Monday cited in
Mathiang and Baidit villages, which are situated near Bor town.
Another unconfirmed report said forces loyal to Peter Gadet, a
dissident army commander, were “just 4km” from Bor town.
An eyewitness said nearly all civilian population in Bor have fled the
town into neighbouring bushes in anticipation of clashes between the
rebels and government forces.
The army on Saturday warned that rebel forces loyal to former
vice-president Riek Machar were planning to attack the town.
“We have information that forces loyal to Riek Machar are believed to
be preparing a fresh offensive on Bor. We don’t know the number, but
it is estimated 25,000 youths from the Lou Nuer [tribe] have been
mobilised to participate in the attack”, Aguer said.
Mutineers from the army took control of Bor a few days after conflict
broke out between members of the presidential guard on 15 December,
with the army later retaking control of the Jonglei capital on 24
December.
A spokesperson for the dissident forces on Saturday said their troops
briefly withdrew from Bor town for "tactical" reasons, admitting that
government forces were in control.
"It is only [a matter] time for our forces to reclaim the town to
prevent targeted lynching of individuals on suspensions of their
loyalties", partly reads their statement extended to Sudan Tribune.
More than 1,000 people, according to the United Nations, have been
killed and nearly 180,000 displace in nearly three weeks of the
conflict in South Sudan.
(ST)
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