The army says it has withdrawn from Kaka Tijariya town in Upper Nile state after being attacked by forces of the SPLA-in Opposition.

No casualties were reported.

The SPLA spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer, said the SPLA-in Opposition forces have taken control of the town.

He said the SPLA in Kaka Tijaria came under attack yesterday from two different armed groups.

“These are rebels of Riek Machar jointly with rebels of somebody called Gai Yoch who is based in Sudan,” Col Aguer.

“The public know the SPLA has an ability not only to recapture Kaka Tijariya, but to capture other areas if the rebels continue attacking.”

Colonel Aguer said there are reports that the SPLA-in Opposition forces are planning to recapture areas that the army retook last month.

Meanwhile, Manyo County Commissioner Athib Okech Ajang told Eye Radio that the clashes between the government forces and the SPLA-in Opposition forces in Kaka Tijaria begun over the weekend.

“I am calling upon the SPLA forces to deter these rebels quickly before the rainy season, because if it reaches the rainy season, there will be no stability in the county.”

Commissioner Okech also said that thousands of civilians from Manyo County have taken refuge in Renk and Fashoda Counties.