New rebel group claims joint rebel attack on SSPDF base in Nadapal

TORIT – An emerging armed opposition group, Operation Rescue South Sudan (ORSS), has claimed responsibility for an early-morning attack on a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) military base in the border town of Nadapal in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State, near Kenya.

In a statement issued on January 2, ORSS said its fighters launched the assault at around 5:00 a.m. local time, targeting an SSPDF barracks in the Kapoeta area. The group claimed the operation was carried out jointly with a small number of elements from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army–In Opposition (SPLA-IO).

According to ORSS, at least 12 government soldiers were killed during the attack. The group also alleged that its fighters seized eight PKM machine guns and 15 AK-47 rifles from the base. ORSS said one of its combatants sustained a minor injury.

“Our forces are in high spirit and will continue advancing on government positions,” said ORSS military spokesperson Santo Kelega.

The group said the operation was led by Cdr. Daniel Lopidio and the involved fighters from its Eastern Zonal Command. ORSS used the statement to renew its call on civilians to support its campaign, accusing the government of failing to fully implement existing peace agreements.

“We call on the suffering people of South Sudan to rise and join us to rescue the country from collapse,” Kelega said.

ORSS also appealed to the United Nations, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Troika countries, and the East African Community to support what it described as a push for lasting peace. The group further called on President Salva Kiir and his government to step down.

The South Sudanese government and the SSPDF had not responded to the claims by the time of publication, and the allegations could not be independently verified.

Earlier on Friday, the SPLA-IO separately announced that its forces had captured Yuai in Jonglei State and Nadapal in Eastern Equatoria State. In a brief statement, SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said SSPDF military bases in the two locations had fallen.

“Yuai and Nadapal have fallen,” Col. Gabriel said, confirming the claims.

South Sudan has experienced years of conflict and political instability despite repeated peace initiatives aimed at ending armed violence and stabilising the country.