South Sudan rebels seize strategic town in W. Bahr el Ghazal
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May 31, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudanese rebels led by former vice
president, Riek Machar, on Sunday seized a strategic town of Bazia in
Western Bahr el Ghazal state, highlighting the scale at which the
opposition fighters are expanding the scope of their operations.
PNG - 199.9 kb
Rebel fighters aligned with former vice-president Riek Machar gather
in a village in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state on 8 February 2014
(Photo: Goran Tomasevic/Reuters)
The capture of the town, located some 50km south of the state capital,
Wau town, on the way to Western Equatoria state, cuts the traffic
between the state and the rest of the country. It also represents a
serious security threat to the state capital, Wau.
This came days after forces under the overall command of Major General
Dau Aturjong claimed to have captured a number of locations in
Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, while another General, Abdel Latif,
allied to former vice president also gave citizens in Rumbek 72 hours
to evacuate the town, pending attack.
Several military sources from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) and state
government officials as well as rebel sources told Sudan Tribune that
the rebel fighters allied to the former vice president Riek Machar
took control of the town on Sunday morning.
Abdallah Kuot, spokesperson of the rebel forces in Northern Bahr el
Ghazal state told Sudan Tribune on Sunday that their troops also
captured some government soldiers at Bazia, including four police
officers and were under their custody.
“Our forces today captured one of the strategic towns in Western Bahr
el Ghazal. Bazia has fallen under the control of our forces this
morning without major casualties on our side,” said Kuot without
giving additional information when contacted on Sunday.
He said the fall of the town was expanding their control in the area
after taking its military base, which had been used by the government
to defend the military headquarters and state capital in Wau.
Machar’s spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, also said his office had
received a report confirming the capture of Bazia town and other
villages, adding that the operation was commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel Benson Joseph in which different types of war equipment were
captured.
Among the captured equipment, he said, included 16 AK rifles, 1 car
and 1 communication equipment.
Wau county commissioner, Elia Kamilo Dimo, also confirmed in a
separate interview the fall of the town under the control of the
rebels, admitting that opposition forces were still in the area at the
time of interview.
Fighting escalated in recent weeks following what was said to be a
full scale offensive by government to regain control of the
territories held by the rebels. The opposition forces retaliated by
counter-attacking government’s positions in the country.
(ST)
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31 May 22:17, by sudani ana
Oh boy...this is getting serious.
repondre message
1 June 04:32, by Shadrack Nuer Machut
It’s a new military tactic as a bet to catch the fish. SPLA is
never depeated! Riak Machar combined in 1991 with SS’ enemy Bashir of
Khartoum but were by SPLA. This rebellion is nothing but a finisìng of
Nuer.
repondre message
1 June 04:43, by Shadrack Nuer Machut
U count how many crucial towns under rebels’ control for 17
month war & hw many killed. It’ll be shameful & cursing if u go for
dialogue after finishing poor Nuer. U capture a town to raid food.
Joseph Konyi better than Riak. He’ll suffer for live this 2nd
rebellion.
repondre message
1 June 05:33, by Mi diit
Shadrack Nuer Machut,
Also count how many Dinkas have died in this war. This is
a war by Salva Kiir and Museveni to finish Nuer in one day.
You talk of defeat when you are being protected in Juba
and Bor by Ugandan troops. Cowards.
Museveni said he would defeat the rebels in three days.
Malong Awan came and said he will defeat rebels in 30 days.
Now it is near to two years, expanding attacks.
repondre message
1 June 06:21, by Force 1
Midiit;
Didn’t you capture Malakal and Malut weeks ago what
happened over there now? What’s strategic town? Isn’t a village no one
is living in? Tell us if you capture Wau and Awiel those would be
strategic towns! Second; Counting killing civilians is the only
capability you have but you can’t face a real army the way it happened
in Malut and Malakal!
repondre message
1 June 06:29, by Force 1
>>>When you combine forces with Bashir in 1991
against SPLA; were there Ugandans troops alongside SPLA fighting Riek
and Bashir? What happened then? You ends up taking the walk of shame
back to the SPLA! What are the chances that you Nuer only can do
anything in South Sudan! First you need to have brains; something you
can’t afford to have regardless of whether or not you’re educated!
repondre message
1 June 07:06, by Mi diit
Force 1,
We captured Malakal many times. We captured
Bentiu many times. We captured Bor, etc.
Did you for 21 years of fighting capture Juba
or Malakal or Wau, even once?
You even lost your HQrs of Torit, farthest
south and only got it after CPA. And you were with all other 64 tribes
including half Nuer in SPLA.
Now it is the Nuer fighting a lot for you in
greater Upper Nile. Stop lying!
repondre message
1 June 07:54, by Force 1
Midiit;
We are the people with brains we don’t
lie. During the 21 years of liberation we didn’t Wau, Malakal and Juba
but did you know we didn’t capture Juba in 1991; it’s because you came
behind us and killed innocent civilians in Bor when we were about to
capture Juba. The SPLA withdrew around Juba and go back to Bor chase
you to your mother land.>>>>>
repondre message
1 June 07:59, by Force 1
>>>>Now on the other hand; what have
you done other than collaborating with the enemy and later just walk
back with walk of shame with no accomplishment! We fought for real
cause and just for food as you people are! This why we earn every
right to own the lion share of the government and lands! You earn what
you work hard for and it can’t just be handed to you traitors!!
repondre message
1 June 08:32, by hamil
@Mi Diit
You once said Juba would fall by December 15 2013 in
the hands of the rebels whom you refered to as "mighty Nuer warriors"
I don’t support the death of an innocent Dinka or Nuer though
repondre message
1 June 05:34, by Kim Deng
How long will it take Dinka Kingdom to disarm MNW and its
allies? Don’t mess up with MNW, otherwise Somalia would be better than
this Jungle (South Sudan).
repondre message
1 June 07:15, by Son of Ngundeng
Dear All:
Greater Bahr Gazal become a death city,
very interesting another UNMISS will be build in Salva Kiir
home specially Awan clan
I like it.
Son of Ngundeng
currently in front
line Pathay Jonglei State.
repondre message
1 June 00:19, by lino
Hahaaa! Now both Sudans can accuse each other by supporting
rebels!!! We will see what the terrorists of Khartoum and the cowboys
of Juba can come up with!!!
repondre message
1 June 00:44, by sudani ana
What do you mean "now" ? They have been accusing each other of
supporting rebels for years.
repondre message
1 June 05:01, by lino
Ya Sudani, this coming accusation will be different with the so
many rebel elements around all 10 states of South Sudan. Got it?
repondre message
1 June 07:13, by Son of Ngundeng
Dear All:
Congratulation to general Dua Atur jong for the work well done. We
told Salva Kiir to bring peace to the country but he refused what
happened to Gadafi will end on him again because that was the death
way of any dictator.
Son
of
Ngundeng
currently
in front line
Pathay Jonglei State.
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