By Chondok Stephen Magei
At least 18 people have been killed and 20 others wounded in clashes between Sudan People’s Liberation Army in opposition (SPLA-IO) and armed youths allied to Koch County’s commissioner according to SPLA-IO
SPLM-IO Division Four B commander General Stephen Gatgok Khor says there was a 3-hour fighting between his forces and armed youths loyal to Koch County’s commissioner on Wednesday.
“We captured Mirmir at around 6:00am but the armed youth came back and pushed our forces out at 10:00am, we then fought and took back Mirmir, we found 10 dead bodies, 15 wounded people from the side of the armed youth, we lost 8 people and we have 5 wounded people from our side.” Said General Gatgok khor
Mirmir in South Sudan’s Unity State was SPLA-IO cantonment site but fighting erupted among the forces when some SPLA-IO military officers defected to the government army or SSPDF. The SPLA-IO then moved out of Mirmir.
The SPLA-IO Division four-B commander, General Stephen Gatgok Khor said his troops are now in control of Mirmir after overpowering the armed youths allied to the commissioner Gordon Koang Biel,
South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) Division 4 spokesperson Abot Wai Abot has confirmed to Juba Echo the clashes between SPLA-IO and Armed youths.
“The fighting claimed many lives and many people are wounded, our SSPDF forces are not behind this ceasefire violation, I have talked to Koch County’s commissioner Mr. Gordon Koang Biel and he agreed to cease fighting in Mirmir.” Said SSPDF spoke person Abot Wai Abot.
The fighting comes at a time when president Salva Kiir and first vice president Riek Machar who heads the SPLM/A-IO just agreed to unify the command of the armed forces and expedite the implementation of the 2018 peace deal.
