Fresh fighting broke out Thursday in Longechuk County, Upper Nile State, as South Sudan government troops and opposition forces, reinforced by local White Army militias, engaged in fierce clashes over the strategic town of Mathiang.
Residents reported intense gunfire and artillery fire that lasted for hours, sending civilians fleeing. The number of casualties remains unclear.
SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said their fighters intercepted an SSPDF column outside Mathiang at around 8:00 a.m., leading to battles that spilled into the town. He said opposition forces, supported by armed youth, were maintaining positions inside Mathiang.
The SSPDF has not yet issued a statement. Attempts to reach army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang for comment were unsuccessful.
Lam also claimed SPLA-IO units repelled government attacks in Jamara Saba and Limuro in Central Equatoria on Wednesday, killing two SSPDF soldiers and wounding others.
The escalation raises fears of renewed instability in Upper Nile and beyond, despite ongoing peace efforts.
