Fresh Fighting Rocks Yei River County
Gunfire echoed across Lasu and Libogo before dawn as South Sudan People’s Defence Forces exchanged fire with Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In-Opposition units, county commissioner Emmanuel Taban told regional media during a crackling phone call.
Authorities Describe Ongoing Engagements
“We are still on the frontline,” Taban stated, adding that confrontations were active past 10 a.m. He declined to disclose troop numbers or tactics, citing operational security while confirming government control of Yei town.
Civilians Cite Looting Concerns
Residents report commercial trucks ambushed on the Yei–Lasu road and shops emptied during the chaos. Taban blamed opposition elements for the raids, warning that repeated looting undermines fragile confidence in the rural economy.
Casualty Figures Remain Elusive
With shooting ongoing, hospitals had yet to receive wounded fighters or civilians, making verification difficult. Local health workers said ambulances were on standby but had not been cleared to reach the clash zones.
Observers Call for Dialogue
Church leaders and civil-society monitors urged commanders to respect the 2018 revitalized peace deal and open communication channels swiftly. They stressed that renewed violence could displace farming families at planting season, stoking humanitarian pressures.