December 18th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – Fierce fighting has erupted between South Sudan army, the SSPDF, and holdout opposition fighters loyal to the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Gen. Thomas Cirilo near Maridi town, several residents told the Nyamilepedia on Tuesday.
The fighting, Maridi residents told the Nyamilepedia, started this morning at Torre county headquarters between the two parties. Torre which is few miles east of Maridi town is the county headquarters of the Torre county in Western Equatoria region.
“This morning, there was gunfire to the east of [Maridi] town. I think the fighting is taking place in Torre between the rebel and government soldiers,” one resident told the Nyamilepedia on the condition of anonymity.
The same resident said he cannot figure out who attacking who saying he is not aware who was in control of the prior to the clashes saying the area has experience change of control several times since the second outbreak of war in July 2016.
“I don’t know because the area has experience an excessive fighting between different groups and I can not tell you who was in control before the ongoing fighting,” he added.
Early, the NAS spokesman Suba Samuel Manase was quoted by the Sudan Tribune as urging the international community to investigate and force Kiir to halt ongoing offensives against their troops, something which shows there is in fact a fighting.
“NAS urges UNIMISS, IGAD and TROIKA, Friends of South Sudan and International Community at large to dissuade the Government of President Kiir from proceeding with these unprovoked planned attacks,” Manase called according to the Paris-based Sudan Tribune.
