South Sudan’s People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) captured the villages of Tiam and Wek on Monday afternoon, seizing key opposition strongholds on the outskirts of Yuai town in Uror County, northern Jonglei State, as clashes intensified.
Local officials reported engagements between SSPDF troops and a small contingent of Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) fighters and armed youth in the Wek and Tiam areas.
Opposition sources and witnesses accused government forces of burning civilian huts during the advance.
Yuai, formerly an SSPDF position, fell to SPLA-IO forces loyal to detained First Vice President Riek Machar on January 2.
The opposition has since consolidated control in parts of Uror County and captured Pajut in Duk County and Wau in Ayod County.
The SSPDF announced Sunday that “Operation Enduring Peace” would soon launch in northern Jonglei to retake opposition-held positions.
Sources said SPLA-IO units tactically withdrew from Pajut ahead of the government push before regrouping in Yuai and other areas of Uror.
Gatluak Reat, MP for Uror County in the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly, confirmed fighting reached Tiam Payam—near Yuai headquarters—continuing into Monday evening.
Peter Gatkuoth Koang, SPLM-IO commissioner for neighbouring Nyirol County, verified that Tiam Payam and parts of Wek in Wickol Payam fell to SSPDF control on Monday. He reported that further SSPDF advances toward Panyok were repelled, warning of imminent escalation.
“The government forces have also burned down Tiam and Wek, destroying civilian property,” he added.
Koang cited heavy aerial bombardment of Yuai and Karam over the past two days, forcing civilians to flee into the bush amid warnings they would not be spared.
He noted SPLA-IO readiness in Nyirol against advances from Pigi County and successful repulsion of SSPDF moves into Wau Payam in Ayod.
The advance follows a January 25 evacuation order signed by SSPDF spokesman Major General Lul Ruai Koang, directing civilians in the Lou Nuer counties of Nyirol, Uror, and Akobo to leave for government-controlled areas within 48 hours ahead of “Operation Enduring Peace.”
Fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA-IO—now led operationally by Machar’s deputy Oyet Nathaniel—has surged since December, with the opposition seizing several SSPDF garrisons including Waat, Yuai, and Pajut.
Government reinforcements are concentrated in Poktap and Padiet in Duk County.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), over 230,000 people have been displaced in Jonglei since December 29 due to renewed fighting and airstrikes.
Insecurity and access restrictions are severely limiting aid delivery, leaving thousands without adequate food, shelter, or medical support.
On January 22, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator approved $10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to address urgent needs in the conflict zone.
