South Sudan’s army says 1,000 of its soldiers have been wounded in fighting with rebel forces over the last two weeks.

An army official told journalists that most of the wounded government soldiers had been fighting in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states.

The Director General of the SPLA Medical Corps, Major General Dau Aleu, said the number includes those who were wounded in the three-day fight that erupted in Juba on December 16th.

“Those wounded are from Bor and Malakal, as well as Bentiu and Pariang in Unity State,’’ Major General Dau said.

Major General Dau said 500 soldiers were recently admitted to  Juba Military Hospital.

“Previously we had about 440 soldiers. The number of the wounded is 987, and I have informed the Vice-President,” he added.

The government has said it will send soldiers critically wounded abroad for further treatment.

Vice-President James Wani Igga visited Juba Military Hospital during the weekend and expressed the government’s commitment to assist soldiers who have sustained critical wounds as a result of the fighting with forces loyal to Dr. Riek Machar.