SSPDF claims capture of Motot after clashes with SPLA-IO

UROR —The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has announced the capture of Motot town in Uror County of Jonglei State following a military operation against the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and allied fighters.

In a brief statement released Tuesday, army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said government troops had taken full control of the strategic town after engaging rebel forces in a confrontation that resulted in casualties and the seizure of weapons.

“The leadership of SSPDF under the overall command of Chief of Defence Forces, Paul Nang Majok, hereby informs [its] own rank and file and the public on the fall of Motot,” the statement read.

According to the army, at least five opposition fighters were killed during the battle. SSPDF forces also reported recovering a cache of heavy and light weapons abandoned during the fighting.

“During the battle for control of Motot, five rebels were neutralised, four RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launchers were seized along with a large cache of ammunition, two 60mm mortars, one G-3 and several shells,” Koang stated.

Military officials described the seizure as a significant blow to the operational capacity of armed groups active in the area, noting that the recovered equipment included weapons often used in ambushes and indirect fire attacks.

Motot, located in the remote and conflict-prone parts of Uror County, has long been contested between government forces and armed opposition groups. The area has seen repeated clashes over the years, with fighting often displacing civilians and disrupting humanitarian access.

Residents and local sources say renewed military activity in recent weeks has heightened tensions, with many families fleeing nearby villages amid fears of escalating violence. It remains unclear how many civilians were affected by the latest operation or whether any infrastructure was damaged during the fighting.

The SSPDF said it is consolidating control of the town and surrounding areas to prevent further rebel movements. Authorities did not immediately comment on whether additional operations are planned in neighbouring locations.

The claim of military capture comes amid fragile security conditions in parts of Jonglei, where sporadic clashes between government troops, opposition factions, and armed youth groups continue to undermine stability.

As of press time, the SPLA-IO had not issued an official response to the government’s claims.