Africa-Press – South-Sudan. South Sudan’s main armed opposition commander General Simon Gatwech Dual’s forces have declared what they call end of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny’s presence in northern Upper Nile state following deadly clashes that the controversial opposition commander claimed to have resulted in the killing of five opposition commanders allied to Machar.
In a statement on Monday evening, Brig. Gen. William Gatjiath Deng, the spokesman of the SPLA-IO allied to Gen. Gatwech, said renewed fighting escalated when forces allied to Machar made a second attempt to capture Magenis which triggered the fierce fighting that resulted in the killing of at least 50 soldiers on both sides including five senior officers allied to Machar.
“Today this morning at around 5:00AM, East African Time, heavy fighting was on, between the forces loyal to the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, and the forces under the command of 1st/Lt General Simon Gatwech Dual, at Magenis,” Gen. Gatjiath said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.
“The battle lasted for (6) hours and later on, led to the fall of the three bases, “Amut, Korwai and Kola respectively. The deadly battle claimed many lives including the (5) generals out of junior officers, NCOs, and men at the side of the enemy,” he added.
The outspoken opposition officer further said one military vehicle with Zuu-23, one 14.5 machines guns, two recoils, one BM-12, one Zuu-23, two 82MM, six 12.7, 34 PKM and AK-47 were captured during the fighting.
“Now as I am writing the report, the frustrated forces loyal to the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar have lost power and are in the verge of surrendering to a government military base at ‘Kuek’ which lies at the western bank of the Nile,” he said. Gatjiath added that “The fighting marks the end of Dr. Riek Machar’s present in the Northern Upper Nile once, and for all.”
“The leadership of the SPLA (IO) under the command of the 1st Lt General Simon Gatwech Dual advises the government to stop Dr. Riek Machar’s political maneuver that aims to kill innocents during the peace time, while himself, and his cohorts are enjoying in expense of others.”
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