A helicopter gunship. (-).

South Sudan People’s Defense Forces spokesperson said the army used air power to bomb armed youth in Pochalla County of GPAA after they launched a fierce attack that breached defensive trenches of its local barrack.

Major General Lul Ruai Koang said the bombing of “hostile youth” was justified by the magnitude of the alleged civilian offensive.

He said the army headquarters had to dispatch air support to its own forces following the attack that almost overran the SSPDF barrack, as reported by local officials.

“SSPDF Command had to provide air support to its own forces in Pochalla South County after hostile armed youth attacked and breached the southern part of defensive trenches,” Lul posted on his Facebook page.

The army spokesperson did not explain which type of air power was used to attack the local militia group.

On Monday, Pochalla County Executive Director Owiti Olung said the killing of a removed SSPDF commander by his successor on Sunday, September 17, triggered the violence.

The late, Colonel Joseph Okony, was reportedly shot dead on orders of one Commander Achuil after the victim refused to be redeployed to another barrack.

The local official accused the army of murdering the commander. He further claimed that local youth were threatening to overrun the army base while some of the soldiers surrendered.

But an army statement, which confirmed the fighting and the killing of the former commander, denied the allegations of soldiers surrendering to local youth.