Over 150 people killed' in South Sudan fighting

South Sudan: Nearly 150 soldiers have been killed in South Sudan capital, Juba following the clashes between South Sudan Army also known as SPLA loyal to president Salva Kiiron and forces loyal to the First Vice President Riek Machar on Friday.

The heavy fighting took place inside the country's Presidential Palace at around 5:30 pm local time during a meeting between President Kiir and rebel leader Machar to settle disagreements between them following clashes between their respective forces on Thursday that left at least five government soldiers dead.

According to sources, at least 150 people have been confirmed dead on both sides.
A senior military officer from president Salva Kiir's camp, said;

“We counted about 35 of the SPLA-IO soldiers lying dead and over 80 died from the SPLA’s side. But this was not the total figure,” 

“It looked as if all the bodyguards of the First Vice President who were deployed on the street outside J1 were killed,” he added.

South Sudanese Defense Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk said the situation remained tense.

"I cannot tell exactly the number of casualties because it is too early to know, the situation is still tense but what I can say is that fighting has stopped." 

A military source, confirmed that more than 80 bodies had been taken to the country’s military hospital, Giada, since the fighting erupted.

While a source at the country's main hospital, Juba Teaching Hospital, told reporters that the hospital had received 109 dead bodies.

Opposition forces’ Gen. James Koang Chol said his military leadership was working in cooperation with the South Sudan Army, to sustain peace in the capital.

"This is not something intended by the two leaders," Gen. Koang said during a radio broadcast. 

Reports say, a large force appeared from nowhere and joined up with President Kiir’s force and opened fire on Machar’s bodyguards positioned outside the Palace for protection.

The two leaders inside the palace, were later seen making a joint press statement condemning the fighting claiming that none of them had knowledge about the cause of the clashes outside the palace.

Sources revealed that the incident seemed to have been pre-organized to coincide with the presidency meeting as a retaliation for Thursday’s attack in which five SPLA soldiers were killed.
Machar was escorted to his Jebel Kujur base, by President Kiir’s forces.

 

The clash is described as the most deadly clash since formation of the transitional government in South Sudan.