Hundreds of civilians were displaced citing fresh fighting in Leer

Fighting erupted in Leer County on Tuesday morning around 5:00 AM between government-allied forces and SPLA in Opposition at KaiGai Payam.

The fighting is between the soldiers led by Gen. Simon Maguek Gai who recently defected from SPLA and joined the South Sudan People Defense Forces.

Hundreds of women and children reported deserted their homes and villages seeking safety in Leer town as the violence escalated into many villages.

Some eyewitnesses say they have seen people carrying their belongings while running toward Payak, Nyony, and other villages in Leer’s surrounding areas.

Others said the gunshots were heard around Leer Market at 1 PM. Unconfirmed reports suggested that five people were wounded including three civilians shot in crossfires admitted at Medicine San Frontiers [MSF]

Leer County Commissioner Stephen Taker Riek has confirmed the ongoing violence in the area but could not give further details.

Some humanitarian workers were seen at Leer airstrip being escorted by UN peacekeepers to catch up with their evacuation plane. The attack came a few weeks after necessary Unified Forces (NUF) deployed in Upper Nile.