The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has seized control of Motot, a rebel-held town in Jonglei State, killing five opposition fighters and seizing a cache of weapons.
The move comes amid heightened tensions and renewed fighting, which has displaced an estimated 260,000 people since December 2025.
The SSPDF spokesperson, Lul Ruai Koang, reported that the army had taken control of Motot, a strategic town in Jonglei, and had seized weapons, including rocket-propelled grenade launchers and mortars.
The army chief had recently visited the area to boost soldiers’ morale and monitor operations.
The United Nations has warned of a humanitarian crisis, with families fleeing violence and sheltering in makeshift structures with minimal access to food, healthcare, and protection. The fighting has sparked concerns of a wider conflict in the region.
