RUBKONA – Deadly fighting was reported on Sunday between South Sudan army and rebel SPLA-IO troops in Rubkona County, Unity State, days after similar clashes occurred in Mayom County.
The fighting involved the SSPDF troops and SPLA-IO VIP Protection Force – a unit that was recently dislodged from its deployment center in northern Warrap State, SPLA-IO spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said.
He alleged that the SSPDF attacked their position in Chotchar village in Rubkona at dawn, adding that SPLA-IO forces returned fire.
Col. Lam claimed 12 soldiers were killed from the SSPDF side while one rebel soldier died. Juba Witness could not independently verify this information, and army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang is yet to respond.
“The SPLA-IO force responded swiftly, defending themselves and their families who came along with them from Abyei, killing 12 enemy soldiers including their lead commander Maj. Gatluak Duop Nyir with all his bodyguards. The SPLA-IO lost one (1) freedom fighter while two (2) others sustained gunshot injuries,” Lam said.
He also dismissed social media reports that the slain Major was a member of the SPLA-IO.
On October 15, fighting occurred in Mayom County between the fleeing SPLA-IO unit and SSPDF soldiers in Mayom County, just days after deadly fighting near the Abyei region.
The SPLA-IO) unit which had been part of an integrated VIP Protection Force, was confronted by local security forces in Kaikang village, according to Kerbino Yai Pazale, the SPLA spokesperson in the state. He narrated that the troops had retreated from Abyei following clashes with SSPDF troops that left at least 14 soldiers dead.
Mr. Pazale said government forces attacked the SPLA-IO soldiers while they were resting under trees in Kaikang after withdrawing from Abyei. He said the fighting lasted only a few minutes and that the retreating force did not fight back.
But the office of government-appointed Mayom County Commissioner, said the SPLA-IO forces had attacked SSPDF forces under Brigade 11 of the 4th Infantry Division at Kaikang Barrack.
“SSPDF forces managed to defend themselves and defeat them. SPLA IO wanted to clear the road intentionally so that their forces could move free from Bhar El Gazal to Bentiu without obstacle on the roadside,” it said.
South Sudan descended into political crisis early in 2025 following escalating violence among the peace parties, political detentions and the stalled implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement.
This volatile situation has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, widespread human rights abuses, and fears of a relapse into full-scale civil war.