By Matik Kueth
At least 16 soldiers were killed, and 38 others injured in an intense clash between the SSPDF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Morobo County, Central Equatoria, on Friday.
In a press statement, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO’s spokesperson, stated that the SPLA-IO forces reclaimed control of Morobo’s Kendila, Payume, Mongoya, and Lujulo cantonment areas.
He stressed that the SSPDF suffered approximately 10 fatalities and 30 injuries, while SPLA-IO lost 6 soldiers in action and 8 others wounded by gunfire.
“On 08/05/2025 at about 6:00AM, the SPLA-IO recaptures Kendila, Panyume, Mongoya and Lujulo in Morobo County after defeating the anti-peace forces of the SSPDF and the NSS,” Col. Gabriel stated.
He added, “About 10 negative forces were killed and 30 others wounded. While the SPLA-IO lost 6 soldiers KIA (May their souls rest in peace) and 8 others sustained gunshot injuries.”
During the operation, he said, the SPLA-IO seized 80 AK-47 assault rifles in mint condition as well as 12 PKMs.
However, when contacted by King Media, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, SSPDF’s Spokesperson, declined to comment.
On April 1, 025, the SSPDF launched a military assault on the SPLA-IO cantonment areas in Kendila, Mongoya, Morobo County, wiping out the SPLA-IO forces therein.
Last week, the government reported that its forces were in hot pursuit of the SPLA-IO forces in Morobo.
The clashes between the two rival factions have forced more than 17,000 people to evacuate their homes and majority of them were from Kendila, Payume, Mongoya, and Lujulo Payams, according to local authorities.
Among the displaced, 11,178 are female and 6,018 are male, currently living without essential social services under trees, in churches, and in schools, lacking access to clean drinking water, shelter, food, medicines, and other non-food items.
Since the 2016 conflict, Panyume, Gulumbi, and Kimba had been under the control of the SPLA-IO, led by Dr. Riek Machar.
Lul Ruai declined to comment, and the government has yet to respond to the number of SSPDF soldiers reportedly killed early Friday morning by the SPLA-IO, whether the figure is true or not.