SPLA-IO claims capture of SSPDF Waat base in Wednesday morning attack

BOR – The Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has claimed to have captured a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) military base in Waat town, Nyirol County of South Sudan’s Jonglei State, following an early morning assault on Wednesday.

In a statement obtained by Sudans Post, SPLA-IO spokesperson Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel said the attack was carried out at around 5:30 a.m. by Division 8 forces operating under Sector 3. According to the statement, SPLA-IO fighters overran the SSPDF base in Waat after what was described as a successful military operation.

Lam stated that at least 18 SSPDF soldiers were killed during the fighting, while an unspecified number sustained injuries. He added that the SPLA-IO lost one fighter in the operation, with 13 others wounded.

The SPLA-IO further claimed to have captured a significant cache of military hardware and weapons during the assault. Among the items listed were six 12.7mm heavy machine guns, three amphibious vehicles (barges), one ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun, two armoured personnel carriers (APCs), one BM artillery piece, three Land Cruiser pickup trucks, one 14.5mm gun, four 82mm mortars, one 120mm mortar, as well as numerous light weapons including AK-47 rifles, PKM machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).

The spokesperson said the Waat operation followed an earlier clash on December 23, 2025, in the Gulumbi area, where SPLA-IO National Mobile Forces and Division 2B allegedly overran another SSPDF base. During that engagement, SPLA-IO forces reportedly recovered six PKM machine guns and 12 AK-47 rifles.

Lam said the SPLA-IO command had congratulated the commanders and fighters involved in the two operations, praising what he described as their resilience and commitment. He stated that the actions were part of the group’s efforts to defend its forces against what he referred to as the “regime in Juba.”

As of the time of publication, the SSPDF had not issued a response to the SPLA-IO claims, and independent verification of the reported casualties and captured equipment was not immediately possible.