The Chief of General Staff of the SPLA says the government forces are in control of Nasir town in Upper Nile State.

Last week, fighting broke out in Nasir between government and the SPLA in Opposition Forces.

The SPLA Chief of Staff, First Lieutenant General, Paul Malong Awan, told the media in Juba that the attack on Nasir started four days ago.

“The rebels began to shell our position in Nasir and we did not retaliate until they waged a ground attack,” Gen Malong explained.

He said government forces are still committed to the cessation of Hostilities Agreement despite the attacks on their positions by the SPLA-in Opposition forces.

“We will remain committed to the cessation of hostilities agreement because it is a valid document that has been signed by the leadership of this country and it should remain respected,” he added.

“On who is in control of Nasir, it is the SPLA [our forces] who are in control of Nasir and we are inside.”

The United Nations has accused the SPLA-in Opposition forces of violating a ceasefire by launching an offensive to recapture its former headquarters, Nasir.

The UN says the attack on Nasir town was the most serious resumption of hostilities since May.

The SPLA in Opposition said they had seized the town in an act of self-defense, but the army has denied the town had fallen to the opposition forces.