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August 23, 2011 (JUBA) - South Sudan’s army on Tuesday announced it had expelled militia forces from the strategic town of Kaka, which was described as a major victory for the newly established state.
- Members of Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) celebrate during South Sudan’s independence day celebrations along the streets of Juba July 9, 2011 (Reuters)
Government officials say the areas remaining under rebel control have been shrinking dramatically in the past few months, with the regular army gaining momentum and taking control of all areas under territorial boundary of the newest nation.
Peter Lam Both, Minister of Information and Communications in Upper Nile State said an attack on the area was carried out by a coalition of rebel groups. But he said they were immediately expelled by South Sudan’s military - former rebels the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).
“I want to briefly present to you the report of the incident in Kaka town, Manyo County which took place on 19th of August. A small combined force of Younis Akec, Olony, Gordon Koang, George Athor, Ayuok Ogad, Abdel Bagi Ayii and other militias attacked an SPLA check point in Kaka which they overpowered”, said the minister in a statement on Tuesday.
The official said fighting in the area started at a military outpost and carried on until reinforcements from the SPLA’s Division 7 arrived. He said the rebels were pushed back and 58 from the militia were killed.
The minister said the SPLA captured three rebels and some weapons including 4 RPGs and 3 PKMs.
"Then they ran in disarray into South Kordofan [across the international border into North Sudan] as they got lost in the terrain there. These people did not know the area well and therefore, they got lost. On the SPLA side, we have confirmed 3 deaths so far”, explained minister Lam in e-mail message seen by Sudan Tribune.
The senior member of the state government said the security situation has returned to normal and that the state administration will work together with SPLA to provide adequate security to the local population.
“Let me reiterate that the situation is back to normal in the area of Kaka and we are now investigating how these forces managed to come into Kaka area without being intercepted or why the intelligence was not able to detect their movements which we have been monitoring for a long time”, he explained.
South Sudan became independent in July after decades of conflict with North Sudan. However, numerous rebel groups have blighted Africa’s newest nation.
Juba accuses Khartoum of backing the groups in an effort to destabalise the nascent country. Khartoum routinely denies the allegation.
(ST)
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