South Sudan rebels claim capture of Nhialdiu

[Elisabeth Janaina]

South Sudan rebels claim capture of Nhialdiu

Fighters loyal to South Sudan’s former Vice President turned rebel
leader Riek Machar claimed taking control of Nhialdiu in Northern
Liech State, their official deputy military spokesperson, Lam Paul
Gabriel said Monday.

“The SPLA-IO forces under the command of Maj. Gen. John Turuk Khor,
launched a successful operations against the Juba regime forces in
Nhialdiu, Rubkona County, Unity State,” said Lam in a statement
extended to Radio Tamazuj yesterday.

He claimed that they killed 19 government soldiers and wounded several
others including Biel Matuel Commissioner of Nhialdiu.

Paul pointed out that they lost one soldier during clashes yesterday morning.

Dickson Gatluak, a spokesperson of the SPLM-IO faction in the Juba
government confirmed the incident, but said the attackers were
repulsed.

He accused the opposition fighters of allegedly targeting civilian
properties, saying yesterday's attack disrupted a grassroots community
dialogue that brought together community leaders and county
commissioners of Budang, Nhialdiu and Pawel.