The Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) acknowledged the withdrawal of its fighters from several locations in northern Jonglei, describing the action as a tactical redeployment. This statement came a day after the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) announced the recapture of key areas previously controlled by the rebel group.
The differing claims highlight the fluid security situation in northern Jonglei, where control of towns frequently changes hands between forces.
SPLM-IO Claims
SPLM-IO spokesperson Pal Mai Deng stated on Wednesday that withdrawals from Pajut, Yuai, Pieri, Pathai, and Motot were deliberate and part of an operational strategy.
SPLM-IO spokesperson Pal Mai Deng stated on Wednesday that withdrawals from Pajut, Yuai, Pieri, Pathai, and Motot were deliberate and part of an operational strategy.
Deng asserted that the morale of the “Genocide Stoppage, Self-defence, and R-ARCSS Peace-keeping Operation in Northern Jonglei state is still high,” and that the operation remains active. He explained that Sector Three Command repositioned forces to “measure and know the enemy force’s military capacity and capability,” maintaining that the command structure is intact. The redeployment, according to Mai, aims to assess government troop strength and adapt future engagements.
Simultaneously, the opposition group accused government soldiers of committing abuses in the vacated areas. These allegations included “mass killing of civilians, burning and plundering” semi-urban settlements, and claims of sexual violence against women. Deng referred to the alleged actions by the SSPDF as “genocide.”
SSPDF Claims
On Tuesday, SSPDF Spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang announced that the SSPDF had neutralized opposition forces in the aforementioned areas of Northern Jonglei.
On Tuesday, SSPDF Spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang announced that the SSPDF had neutralized opposition forces in the aforementioned areas of Northern Jonglei.
Koang congratulated government troops for what he termed the recapture of all bases previously seized by the opposition during offensives in late 2025 and early 2026. He reported that government forces had seized equipment, including a main battle tank, abandoned by retreating fighters. Koang called on both armed and unarmed Lou-Nuer civilians to distance themselves from the opposition and urged displaced residents to return to their homes to rebuild their lives.
Regional Instability
Civilians in areas such as Yuai and Pieri have experienced repeated displacement, property destruction, and disruptions to livelihoods. While the SPLA-IO maintains its pullback is temporary and strategic, the SSPDF's announcement indicates an intention to consolidate its presence in the region. Safety and stability remain priorities for residents affected by the ongoing conflict along Jonglei’s contested frontlines.