South Sudan’s military has declared a major victory in northern Jonglei State, announcing on Tuesday that it has defeated forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and their allied White Army militia after intense clashes.

General Paul Nang Majok, Chief of Defense Forces for the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), made the announcement in Pieri Payam, Uror County, which he called the “heart” of the insurgency.

Speaking amid cheering soldiers, Nang addressed the Lou Nuer community directly.

“I want to tell the people of Lou Nuer that the SPLA-IO, which has been lying to you, is now crushed,” he stated.

He highlighted the capture of an iconic main battle tank nicknamed “Borchaar”, previously used by the rebels, gesturing to it and declaring: “Borchaar tank is here, I have captured it.”

Nang urged the Lou Nuer to abandon the SPLA-IO and White Army, emphasizing that government forces would remain in the area for ongoing “mopping up” operations.

He demanded the return of weapons seized from the SSPDF by opposition groups. The recapture of Pieri—about 20 km from Yuai, Uror County’s headquarters—comes after a significant SSPDF counteroffensive.

Earlier, in December 2025 and early January 2026, SPLA-IO forces had overrun key garrisons in Yuai and Waat, pushing back government troops.

In a notable shift, General Johnson Olony, SSPDF assistant chief of defense forces for disarmament, publicly apologized for prior inflammatory remarks made in Duk County. He had reportedly issued “scorched earth” orders, including instructions to “spare no lives, not even a chicken.”

Olony walked back those statements, saying: “For the remarks I made that spare no lives, not even a chicken, I apologize.”

He encouraged civilians in Uror County to return home, assuring that upcoming disarmament efforts would involve coordination with local community leaders.

In Juba, military spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang praised the forces for recapturing all lost bases from the December offensive.

He called on Lou Nuer civilians to distance themselves from “subversive activities.”

The SPLA-IO has not yet responded publicly to the defeat claims or the loss of the “Borchaar” tank.

Reports from local sources indicate the tank was captured after suffering mechanical issues.

Communications in Uror County remain disrupted due to cut mobile networks amid operations.

The fighting, which escalated in late 2025, has displaced thousands in this volatile region—a persistent flashpoint in South Sudan’s fragile post-conflict environment.