SSPDF Evacuation Order in Nyirol, Uror, Akobo
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces has told residents of Nyirol, Uror and Akobo to leave zones near SPLA-IO positions, citing imminent operations (SSPDF statement).
The rare public notice urges families living beside opposition barracks, assembly sites or rally grounds to move swiftly to avoid becoming, in the army’s words, “human shields.”
Army Says Goal Is Civilian Protection
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang framed the order as a protective measure designed to curb collateral damage during ongoing and planned manoeuvres across northern Jonglei.
Commanders believe early evacuations could limit harm while allowing troops greater freedom of movement against SPLA-IO units entrenched along the Lou-Nuer corridor.
Lankien Market Strike Sparks Alarm
The urgency follows Monday’s airstrike in Lankien town, where a gunship attack on a busy market reportedly killed more than twenty-six civilians, among them children and elderly shoppers.
Local health workers described chaotic scenes as survivors were ferried to makeshift clinics, underscoring the fragility of medical support in this remote region.
SPLA-IO Accuses Government of Provocation
SPLA-IO spokesperson Pal Mai Deng accused the government of a calculated campaign intended to drag communities into tribal conflict and secure a narrative of ethnic survival (Pal Mai Deng).
He argued that repeated strikes on populated centres since 2013 seek to provoke civilians rather than compel insurgent surrender, vowing that opposition forces would not mirror what he called ‘destructive tactics’.
Aid Agencies Warn of New Displacement
Aid agencies fear fresh displacement will stretch already thin relief pipelines, as seasonal floods have rendered many roads impassable and food stocks precarious.
Community elders urge both sides to create rapid humanitarian corridors, warning that renewed fighting in the Lou-Nuer heartland could trigger another wave of cross-border refugees toward Ethiopia.
What the Evacuation Means for Peace Efforts
Analysts say the evacuation order may either clear space for intensified operations or open a window for renewed talks if civilian safety remains a priority for commanders on both sides.