SSPDF soldiers on a Toyota land-cruiser. (Photo: Courtesy).

The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the opposition – National Salvation Front Army reportedly clashed at Mankar Islands near Mangala Payam of Central Equatoria State on the weekend.

The fighting erupted along the Nile during Christmas Eve.

The army spokesperson, Major General Lul Ruai Koang said the SSPDF Mobile Infantry Unit had stormed NAS bases and killed five of the opposition soldiers on Sunday.

In a statement seen by Eye Radio, General Lul said the government forces are still carrying offensive operations to force NAS out of several Islands that they have occupied between Juba and Mangala.

Lul said they raided the opposition base in retaliation after an ambush on their reconnaissance team in Mankar Island.

The statement also added that the SSPDF has captured the NAS base and recovered arms and ammunition.

Eye Radio could not independently verify the report, and efforts to reach the NAS side were not immediately successful.

However, on December 22, the NAS Army Spokesperson condemned a statement from Bor County Community Leadership – accusing them of being behind the inter-tribal conflict between the local youth and Dinka Bor cattle herders in Mangalla Payam.

NAS Spokesperson distanced themselves from the incident – and accused the community leadership of “peddling lies and engaging in malicious propaganda.”

It is not clear if the SSPDF-NAS clashes, and the recent farmers-herders conflict in Mangalla are related.