JUBA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan said on Friday it has foiled a rebel attack to regain its now captured Pagak stronghold by government troops near the Ethiopian border, a spokesman said on Friday.
Dickson Gatluak, a spokesman for the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) faction under First Vice President Taban Deng Gai, told Xinhua that they came under attack early Friday from rebels allied to former vice president Riek Machar at Pagak in the morning amid ongoing fierce fighting.
"At 5:00, SPLA-IO (under Deng) forces came under heavy fire from anti-peace elements in the border town of Pagak.The attackers who led the offensive came through Yuayding and Tolong areas, but SPLA-IO struck back in self defense to end the assault," he revealed in Juba.
He added that they managed to repulse the rebel attack to regain its former headquarters after it fell into government hands early this week, hence causing thousands of civilians to flee into neighboring Ethiopia.
"After engaging the enemy in fierce fight, our gallant forces managed to repulse them back towards Turuw and Orieng. Their main aim was to drive out our forces from the strategic town of Pagak which will never happen," added Gatluak who did not disclose the death toll.
The rebel deputy spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel was quoted by media reports vowing to retake Pagak from government troops.
South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy Machar led to fighting that pitted mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.
The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital forcing Machar to flee into exile.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions that have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.
