The government has dismissed claims that the opposition shot down their gunship in Malakal yesterday.

The Minister of information in upper Nile says fighting started since Friday evening between the government forces and General Johnson Olony forces.

Peter Hoth told Eye Radio this morning that it is just propaganda.

“There is no any chopper that was shot down by the rebels,” he said. “Based on information I got, that is not true. It is just propaganda from the opposition.”

For his part,  SPLA Spokesperson has told Eye Radio described the allegation as ‘frabrication’.

“That’s a fabrication. Even if you look at what they displayed in the media, it’s a helicopter that contained some white people who seemed to be Ukrainians,” he said.

He added that fighting is continuing between the government and the SPLA-In Opposition in Malakal, Upper Nile State. Col Philip Aguer says his office is monitoring the situation on the ground.

“Yes the only update we can tell the public is that there is fighting in Malakal and we are monitoring how the situation is developing but with difficulty of getting the details of the fighting,” said Col Aguer.

The SPLA- in Opposition did not comment on the fighting.