JUBA—The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) says it repelled an early Monday attack by opposition forces on its military outpost in Bari, Mundri West County, Western Equatoria State.
The statement disputes an earlier claim by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLM-IO) that it successfully overran the military post.
Army Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the “unprovoked” attack occurred at the military outpost in Bari Boma, Kotobi Payam.
“The attackers were repelled, and two of our servicemen sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. The command commends the servicemen for maintaining an impressive defensive posture,” Maj. Gen. Lul said in a short statement.
However, the SPLA-IO had earlier maintained that it captured the military barracks during the clash.
In a statement to Sudans Post, the group said the assault was carried out by fighters from its Division 9A under the command of Lt. Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, a former Western Equatoria governor.
The opposition did not provide casualty figures or details regarding its own losses.
The rival accounts could not immediately be independently verified, and it remains unclear which group currently controls the town.
Renewed clashes between government forces and SPLA-IO fighters have recently surged in Western Equatoria, where insecurity has persisted despite the 2018 revitalised peace agreement.
Tensions intensified after President Salva Kiir dismissed Futuyo as Western Equatoria governor in February 2025. Futuyo returned to armed opposition activity, fueling renewed fighting between government troops and forces aligned with the SPLA-IO.
In September 2025, a joint force of SPLA-IO and National Salvation Front (NAS) fighters attacked and overran the Kadi’ba military base in Mundri. The SSPDF later announced it recaptured the base on September 30, several days after it was seized.
Insecurity in Western Equatoria State has continued to impact both civilian movement and security personnel in Mundri West. In September 2026, at least three people, including a police officer and an SSPDF soldier, were killed when a vehicle carrying security personnel was ambushed near Kotobi, according to local authorities. The attackers in that incident were not publicly identified.
This latest outbreak of fighting comes as South Sudan prepares for general elections scheduled for December 2026.