via Eye Radio, Juba
The South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) has reported that it repulsed an attack by Ugandan military forces in a border village in the country’s Eastern Equatoria state on Tuesday, according to a statement issued earlier by army spokesman Major-General Lul Ruai Koang.
Earlier this afternoon, John Ochan, a lawyer representing Magwi County, stated that the Ugandan army attacked a SSPDF outpost at Pogee village in Eastern Equatoria. They killed two SSPDF soldiers before retreating with their bodies.
In a statement this afternoon, General Lul confirmed the UPDF attack, but said it was repulsed following a brief takeover of the SSPDF outpost by the UPDF. He noted the attackers were heavily armed.
“On October 27th, 2020, at about 1PM, a mechanised Unit of Ugandan People’s Defense Forces made a major incursion into our territory. UPDF armed with heavy artillery pieces and light military trucks mounted with 12.7mm machine guns launched cross border attack on own Defensive Border outpost at Pogee in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State,” Lul said in the statement.
“SSPDF Squad sized force heroically fought to protect territorial integrity of our beloved Country. However, that small force was outnumbered, outgunned and was temporarily forced to retreat. A hasty counterattack code named “Operation Restore Territorial Integrity of the Republic of South Sudan” was launched to flush out mechanised Units of UPDF,” he added.
The statement further alleged that “As things stand, SSPDF had regained full control of Pogee, reinforced and strengthened own defensive postures along the borders with Uganda. The brief clash resulted in own two dedicated Servicemen getting killed in action while a third was captured.
“Reliable intelligence reports indicated UPDF had lost two servicemen as well. UPDF is currently in custody of remains of fallen comrades along with their personal assault rifles.
General Lul has not yet confirmed the identity of the soldiers who died in the clash.
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