Survivors of the March attack on the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) garrison in Nasir on Friday testified before a special court in Juba, describing how their colleagues were allegedly killed by White Army fighters and forces linked to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).

The testimony was heard during the court’s 33rd session at Freedom Hall. Witnesses told the court that fighters from the White Army militia and SPLA-IO overran the Nasir garrison in March, triggering days of fighting and deadly ambushes during evacuation attempts.

Cross-examination of prosecution witnesses was conducted by defence lawyer Regina Akeriaw Deng, who represents suspended First Vice President Riek Machar.

First Lieutenant Mohamed Ahmed Jidu, the fourth prosecution witness and a survivor of the attack, testified that 27 soldiers were killed on March 7, while six others were evacuated by a United Nations helicopter. One soldier later died aboard the aircraft.

Jidu said seven soldiers were travelling with Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak in armoured personnel carriers (APCs), while others were stationed in three additional APCs at the garrison. He told the court that 33 soldiers were waiting to be evacuated when they came under fire, allowing only six to board the helicopter before the rest were killed.

During cross-examination, Jidu said he had been informed that Machar would assess the incident based on military briefings. He denied possessing any audio recordings allegedly linking Machar to local officials in Nasir, saying his information came from military intelligence and family members.

Judge James Alala questioned Jidu about alleged planning meetings between SPLA-IO commanders and White Army fighters. Jidu denied attending any such meetings, stating that his knowledge was based solely on intelligence reports.

The fifth prosecution witness, R/SM Ater Bol Piol, also a survivor, testified that the garrison was first attacked at around 7 a.m. on March 3 by SPLA-IO and White Army forces led by Col. Tor Gile Thoan. Piol said government forces repelled the attack and killed Thoan during the fighting.

Piol described a subsequent assault marked by communication failures and chaotic escape attempts through bushland and across rivers, where many soldiers were ambushed and killed.

“We tried to cross a river, but some could not swim,” Piol told the court. “In the morning, we were ambushed. They killed everyone and left me alone.”

He said his life was spared after an SPLA-IO fighter recognized him as someone who had previously treated the fighter’s child. Piol further testified that 10 SSPDF soldiers, including a captain identified as Malong, were killed on March 6 while attempting to board a U.N. helicopter.

The court adjourned proceedings until Monday, December 22, when defence lawyers are expected to continue cross-examining the fifth prosecution witness.

Machar, 73, and seven co-accused face charges including murder, treason and crimes against humanity over the March 2025 attack, which prosecutors allege was carried out by the White Army militia with links to Machar.

Prosecutors say the attack killed army commander Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak, more than 250 soldiers and a member of a U.N. helicopter crew, and resulted in the destruction or seizure of military equipment valued at about $58 million. Several senior SPLA-IO figures are also named in the case.