15 soldiers killed, 17 wounded in Nyirol armed clashes

BOR – At least 15 soldiers were killed and 17 others wounded following intense armed clashes between forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Nyirol County, Jonglei State, local authorities and opposition officials have confirmed.

The fighting, which erupted last week in several parts of the county, sparked widespread panic among civilians and forced many families to flee their homes to seek safety in nearby areas.

Speaking to Sudan Post on Tuesday, Peter Gatkuoth Koang, the SPLM-IO commissioner based in Lankien, said the casualties resulted from separate confrontations between government forces and opposition positions, particularly in Riang Payam.

“Since yesterday, SSPDF forces stationed in Pading, together with the SPLM-IG county commissioner, launched an attack on our positions in Riang Payam at around 8:00 a.m. We confronted them and managed to repel the attack,” Gatkuoth said.

He added that four SSPDF-aligned soldiers were found dead on the battlefield, while SPLA-IO forces lost four fighters and sustained five injuries. According to him, the remaining casualties were recorded in subsequent confrontations in other parts of the county, bringing the total number of killed soldiers to 15 and the wounded to 17.

Gatkuoth further alleged that following the clashes in Riang Payam, the area was subjected to bombardment, including Akok market, where at least seven civilians were reportedly killed and 13 others wounded. He said the injured civilians are currently receiving treatment at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in Nyirol County.

Raising political concerns, Gatkuoth warned that the renewed violence threatens the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and undermines prospects for the planned December 2026 general elections.

“With these SSPDF confrontations against SPLM-IO positions across the country, hopes for the December 2026 elections are fading. How can elections be conducted when civilians are fleeing their homes?” he asked, accusing the SPLM-IG of failing to respect the peace deal.

Meanwhile, the SPLA-IO spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, said in a separate press release issued on Monday that Pathai Payam had “peacefully fallen” under SPLA-IO control after SSPDF forces withdrew from their base without fighting.

“Today, in the afternoon hours, the SSPDF forces peacefully withdrew from their base in Pathai, Nyirol County. The SPLA-IO forces, in return, gave them safe passage to their homes or wherever they felt safe,” the statement read.

The SPLA-IO leadership welcomed the withdrawal and called on remaining SSPDF soldiers to lay down their arms or withdraw to avoid further bloodshed. The statement also accused former Nyirol County commissioner James Bol Makuei of directing SSPDF elements to attack the SPLA-IO base in Riang Payam earlier in the week.

Community elders and civil society organizations have renewed calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, urging all parties to strictly adhere to the permanent ceasefire and prioritize civilian protection while allowing unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations.