January 14th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – A senior rebel commander of the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka was killed during Thursday clashes in Maridi state, several sources with knowledge have told the Nyamilepedia.
The rebel General identified as Brig. Gen. Dominic Michael Santino was killed during joint military operation by the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Maridi state.
One source told the Nyamilepedia that the attack which lasted for 30 minutes killed thirty-six rebel soldiers as well as seven government and SPLA-IOÂ soldiers dislodging the holdout opposition troops from the area which is few Kilometers west of Maridi town.
“The attack on NAS by the government and SPLA-IO of Riek Machar took 30 minutes. Thirty-six other soldiers were killed beside the General Michael,” the source told the Nyamilepedia from Juba on Sunday evening.
Another source said the general didn’t die on spot saying he was initially wounded and later succumbed into the wounds and died saying most of the soldiers who died met their fate while withdrawing him.
“They died while withdrawing him. He did not die on the spot, he later died from the wounds,” the source also said on the condition of anonymity.
The SSPDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang who told the Nyamilepedia that he is out of the country said he cannot comment on the issue and his deputy, Brig. Gen. Dominic Santo was unreachable.
NAS spokesman Suba Samuel Manase didn’t reply to inquiries regarding the alleged incident.
