Unity State clashes: Kaljak returns to SSPDF control
BENTIU — South Sudan’s national army said it has taken control of Kaljak Payam headquarters in Rubkona County, Unity State, after clashes that prompted opposition forces to leave the area, according to state government and opposition sources (Sudans Post).
Unity State Information Minister Nyakenya Johannes Keah Ruai told Sudans Post that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces moved into Kaljak on Tuesday and brought the area under control (Sudans Post).
Government message: stability restored and positions held
Nyakenya said an SPLA-IO attempt to regain control was repulsed, describing the incident as settled. “The security situation is very stable and normalcy has been restored,” she told Sudans Post (Sudans Post).
She said the state government had not yet received confirmed casualty figures, adding that assessments were ongoing. “Currently we have not received the number of casualties… there are a few,” she said, while stressing forces are holding positions to deter renewed fighting (Sudans Post).
Defensive posture and civilian protection emphasized
The information minister rejected suggestions of a wider offensive, saying troops were acting defensively and focused on protecting civilians. “It’s unless they are attacked,” Nyakenya said, adding that the priority is peace and community well-being in Unity State (Sudans Post).
Addressing residents, she urged calm and said authorities remained in control. “Their government is ready to protect them,” she said, describing the SSPDF’s role as ensuring civilian safety and welfare (Sudans Post).
Opposition sources: tactical withdrawal to Pawel Payam
Two SPLA-IO sources separately confirmed to Sudans Post that their forces withdrew from Kaljak south to Pawel Payam after the clashes, characterising the move as tactical and aimed at avoiding further escalation (Sudans Post).
One opposition source, speaking anonymously due to security concerns, said: “Our forces withdrew to Pawel after the clashes.” A second source also confirmed the pullback, linking it to de-escalation considerations (Sudans Post).
Tor Abiath and the Rubkona–Unity Oilfield road in focus
The fighting followed the SPLA-IO’s brief presence in Tor Abiath on Sunday, according to the report. Tor Abiath lies along the Rubkona–Unity Oilfield road, an area often viewed as strategically significant due to supply routes and nearby security installations (Sudans Post).
Nyakenya also dismissed claims circulating on social media that armed youth were involved. “That is not true,” she said, calling such reports misinformation and stating the fighting was between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO (Sudans Post).
Wider context: insecurity and civilian sensitivity in Rubkona
Unity State has faced repeated insecurity in recent years, linked in the report to tensions between government and opposition forces, localised violence, and armed mobilisation (Sudans Post).
Rubkona County, which hosts the Bentiu internally displaced persons camp, remains sensitive due to its large civilian population and proximity to oil-producing areas, as well as its border with neighbouring Sudan, which is also in a civil war (Sudans Post).