The Military Spokesperson of forces loyal to Dr. Riek Machar, Brigadier-General Lul Koang Ruai, has rejected SPLA allegations that they attacked their positions in Upper Nile and Jonglei states.

The Spokesperson of the SPLA, Colonel Philip Aguer, said SPLA-in Opposition forces attacked Guel Guk in Upper Nile State and Duk area in Jonglei State on Monday.

Colonel Aguer was speaking to Eye Radio.

‘‘There was fighting in Guel Guk but the rebels who attacked Guel Guk were defeated and we repelled that fighting the morning of the 24^th of this month at around 5:00 am. And at the same time mobilization continues in part of Jonglei by forces of Dr. Riek Machar which attacked Gadiang two days ago and they were also defeated and yesterday there have been movement of White Army plus forces of Riek Machar that defected from the SPLA. They joined together and have been moving to Duck area. They burnt down the headquarters of Duck which is Mariang and our people in Gadiang have been expecting an attack since yesterday. Up to now there is a possibility of a second attack,’’ he said.

However, the Military Spokesperson of the SPLA-in Opposition said they did not attack the positions of the SPLA.

“Our forces did not attack government forces in those places. It was government forces who attacked our positions in those places, in Guel Guk and in Gadiang. Government forces launched unprovoked attacks on our defensive positions then our forces fought back in self-defense. And as I speak to you clashes are going on. It is the government that is attacking our positions. We are not mobilizing to attack anyone, we are only defending ourselves.The question is: how did government forces and their allies get themselves in Gadiang? When we first withdrew from Bor they followed us in Gadiang and then they bypassed our defensive positions at Mathiang, they went through the desert and went to attack our positions at Gadiang. So we are not mobilizing to attack anyone, we are only ready to defend our positions,” he said.

Brigadier Lul rejected government allegations that the SPLA-in Opposition is recruiting child soldiers into the White Army.