Government troops say repulsed rebel attack in Aweil East

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Government troops say repulsed rebel attack in Aweil East
File photo: Sudan People’s Liberation Army soldiers walk along a road
near Bor, on January 31, 2014 (AFP Photo)
File photo: Sudan People’s Liberation Army soldiers walk along a road
near Bor, on January 31, 2014 (AFP Photo)

The South Sudanese army in Aweil East State said it repulsed a rebel
group calling itself South Sudan Patriotic Army (SSPA) after
attempting to attack its forces at Malek Gumel area.

The group fighting to topple Kiir’s government in Juba is under the
command of Agany Abdel-Baqi Ayii Akol, a native of Aweil area.

Mahmoud Chan, a senior police officer in Aweil East, told Radio
Tamazuj that the opposition launched an attack on Malek Gumel area on
Sunday.

He further said government troops successfully repulsed and drove away
rebel fighters from Malek Gumel after fierce fighting.

“The rebels on Sunday launched attacks on Malek Gumel but they were
repulsed. At least four civilians were killed and four soldiers from
our side were injured. Also, two soldiers were killed during
fighting,” said Chan.

He added, “Two rebels including a Major were killed from the rebel
side. They ran away and we do not know the number of rebels wounded
during the fighting.”

Rebel spokesperson Deng Mareng confirmed the clash in Malek Gumel, but
he said clashes also erupted in Majak Wei area.

He pointed out that at least 10 soldiers were killed and 18 others
wounded from their side. Mareng claimed that they killed dozens of
government soldiers during the clashes.