180,000 displaced in four counties amid SSPDF, SPLA-IO clashes in Jonglei

JUBA — Renewed fighting between government forces and opposition troops, compounded by airstrikes, has displaced an estimated 180,000 people in four counties across South Sudan’s Jonglei State, according to the latest humanitarian report.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in an update seen by Sudans Post that mass displacement has been recorded across Nyirol, Uror, Akobo, and Duk counties following intensified clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) since late December.

“As of 19 January, an estimated 180,000 people have been displaced in Jonglei State due to renewed fighting and airstrikes in Nyirol, Uror, Akobo, and Duk counties,” the update stated.

The agency warned that without an urgent scale-up of humanitarian assistance — including food, healthcare, water, sanitation, protection, and emergency shelter — tens of thousands of displaced people face heightened vulnerability.

OCHA said humanitarian operations in Jonglei remain severely constrained by access restrictions on road, river, and air movement, limiting the ability of aid agencies to reach affected communities. The Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan has called for the immediate protection of civilians and unhindered humanitarian access as violence escalates.

Since 29 December 2025, renewed clashes between SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces, alongside airstrikes in Nyirol, Uror, Ayod, and Duk counties, have triggered large-scale population movements and deepened an already fragile humanitarian situation. Jonglei State has since been declared a no-fly zone, further complicating relief operations.

Displacement figures provided by OCHA indicate that approximately 57,200 people have fled Nyirol County, about 105,000 from Uror, 9,500 from Akobo, and more than 12,000 from Duk County. Most of those displaced are women, children, and older persons.

The crisis is also spilling into neighbouring states. In Mingkaman, Awerial County of Lakes State, local authorities reported registering more than 18,000 new arrivals from Jonglei as of 16 January. OCHA noted that continued fighting and airstrikes are likely to drive further displacement in the coming days, although some figures remain unverified by humanitarian partners.

“Civilians and aid workers face increasing danger as humanitarian operations remain severely disrupted,” the agency warned.