BREAKING NEWS: Another Senior Government General Feared Dead in an Ambush near Wau, Western Bhar el Ghazal

April 9, 2017(Nyamilepedia) —– Latest reports from South Sudan’s Wau State alleged that another senior government officer, Major General Peter Par Jiek, was killed this afternoon near Wau, the capital of Wau State.

According to SPLA-IO sources, Gen. Par was killed in an ambush laid by the rebels between Wau town and Paggari.

The source alleged that Gen Par was on his way to Paggari county, which was captured yesterday by government forces to boost morale of his soldiers.

Speaking to Dominic Ukelo, the Military Governor of SPLM/A-IO of Wau Federal State yesterday, he confirmed that his troops tactically withdrew from Paggari county after heavy bombardments by government troops.

Read: GOVERNOR OF WAU CALLS NATIONAL DIALOGUE FAKE, AND THREATENS TO FIGHT BACK

Ukello condemns the attacks on their position and targeting of civilians by government troops but threatened that his forces must respond to such aggressions.

“We, the government of Wau Federal State in Oppostion would like to condemn the act of cowardness against our people in Baggari county. We will respond to this aggression very soon if its continues.” Hon. Ukello said.

Gen. Par Jiek, who is from Dok-Nuer sub-tribe, has fought hard for Salva Kiir government since 2013 and narrowly escaped from Bentiu town in May 2014.

For the last three years, Par has been deployed in Wau, Western Bhar el Ghazal. He has been severally accused by his Nuer tribesmen for ordering earlier attacks on Nuer-government soldiers in Wau and Mapel who were suspected of planing a defection to Machar camp.

Par is a well trained general, who has served under Dr. Machar movement in 1990s.

Borned in late 1950s, Par has attained high school education from Malakal Secondary school and did his military training with SPLA in mid 1980s.

Gen. Par would be the 5th leading general on the government side killed by SPLA-IO rebels in similar ambushes and fighting within the last 3 months.

Despite optimisms that the government would unilaterally end the war by May this year, fighting has continue to escalate as government troops try to claim more territories from the rebels, however, the government troop, which is composed of militias, has faced immerse challenges as rebels are also prepared to fight.