By Matik Kueth
Fresh clashes erupted on Wednesday morning in Fangak County, Jonglei State, as the White Army and SPLA-IO resumed fighting with SSPDF, prompting civilians to flee the town amid fears of aerial bombardments.
The intense fighting began around 6 a.m. and lasted approximately four hours at the county’s headquarters.
Sources said that the SPLA-IO launched a coordinated attack from the south and east of Fangak, resulting in government troops reportedly retreating across the Nile River after the town fell.
One of the residents who decided to be anonymous noted that SPLA-IO, backed by the White Army, captured Fangak.
“The fighting started early in the morning, and SPLA-IO forces came from Malakal and Old Fangak around 9 a.m.,” he said.
Another local confirmed the fierce clashes and the evacuation of the town by SSPDF forces, adding that civilians caught in the crossfire suffered injuries, though no specific casualty figures were provided.
“The fighting was intense among the White Army, SPLA-IO, and SSPDF backed by Abushok, Agwelek, and UPDF. Some people were caught in the crossfire as they fled,” he stated.
Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO’s Spokesperson, noted in a statement that their forces had retaken Fangak.
“SPLA-IO recaptures Phom from the SSPDF,” he stressed, adding that with further details to follow.
However, when contacted by King Media, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang declined to comment.
Fangak County was previously captured by SSPDF in April after the White Army seized government ammunition transported to Malakal via military barges.
The government responded with aerial bombardments that killed seven civilians and injured many more, destroying the only operational hospital in the area.
The ongoing conflict continues to threaten vulnerable civilians, including women and children, as warplanes bomb the region, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.