SSPDF recaptures Kadi’ba military base in Mundri, says spokesperson

MUNDRI – The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have recaptured the Kadi’ba military base in Mundri in Western Equatoria State from forces loyal to Dr. Riek Machar and Gen. Thomas Cirilo, army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang has said.

Lul said the base was retaken on September 30, days after it was seized by a joint force of the National Salvation Front (NAS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO).

“On the morning of September 24, 2025, at approximately 4:00 a.m., the joint forces of NAS and SPLA-IO attacked and overran the Kadi’ba garrison in Mundri,” Lul said, quoting a statement released by the rebel groups at the time.

Speaking to journalists at the SSPDF General Headquarters in Bilpam earlier this week, Lul confirmed that government forces had regained control of the area.

“The joint forces from SPLA-IO and NAS attacked Kadi’ba, which is the headquarters of Mundri County. They overran it, killed five of our personnel, and set on fire stationary armored personnel carrier (APC) that was not functional. However, on the 30th, we successfully recaptured the area, including the same APC they had burned and showcased in a video,” he stated.

Lul also reported that on October 6, government troops were deployed to the outskirts of Nagero town—specifically Nyaguagi and Maringi areas—where they encountered resistance.

“As our forces advanced, the rebels created roadblocks by cutting down large trees and placing them across the road to delay our movement. They launched ambushes at two locations, but our troops neutralized the attackers, killing seven of them,” he claimed.

The SSPDF spokesperson dismissed social media reports alleging that government forces killed civilians during the clashes.

“I came across a social media post showing five bodies in civilian clothes, claiming they were civilians killed in their homes by our forces. That’s not true. We did not move from the barracks to conduct house-to-house searches or target civilians,” he emphasised.

Lul claimed that most SPLA-IO combatants in Western Equatoria operate in civilian clothing, which often causes confusion during engagements.

“Even the ones who attacked us were in civilian clothes,” he added. “I was informed by the area commander that a few livestock were unfortunately shot and killed in the crossfire, as the fighting occurred near a market area.”