February 16, 2017 Fresh clashes erupted between South Sudanese rival factions in the country’s newly created Bieh State.
According Governor of Bieh State, Moses Majok, referenced by open sources, a brief fight ensued between pro-government forces (SPLA) and the armed opposition forces (SPLM-IO in Patuet, Bieh State.
It took government army’s intervention to dislodge the rebels from Yuai. Yuai is the headquarters of Bieh state and a stronghold of the white army, that is, a group of youth allied to the SPLM-IO loyal to Riek Machar.
“The government forces are now in Yuai, but there was no big fighting”, Majok told Sudan Tribune by phone from Juba.
Reports indicate that SPLA-IO forces who defected from Yuai and came to Patuet, where they declared themselves to be government soldiers.
On Wednesday, February 15, 2017, SPLA-IO from Yuai came and attacked them citing betrayal though they were defeated forcing them to retreat.
Government troops now in Yuai, and in full control of Bieh State.
