Three Military Steamers Destroyed As SPLA Recaptures Melut

JUBA, 21 May 2015 [Gurtong] – An administrative team led by the acting Governor, Philip Gwinye accompanied by the state cabinet visited Melut on Thursday to assess the damages and casualties the recent confrontation has caused in Melut.

Fighting spread on Tuesday to Melut 90 miles north of Malakal town with opposition forces claiming to have captured Melut and heading for Paloch in the oil fields about 20 kms on Wednesday.

However, speaking on phone from Melut, the Acting Governor Hon. Philip Gwinye has said that three steamers have been destroyed from the rebels’ side and that they left Melut powerless and frustrated after the SPLA beat them out of Melut on Wednesday.

Gwinye said the team would return to Paloch shortly because the steamers in the river are still on fire making the place not safe for thorough assessment.

The Governor said the team will return on Friday to make a total assessment of the area adding that houses have also been burnt down following the confrontations.

Information Minister, Peter Hoth Tuach said, “This will be the last of Olony’s forces to attack any town in Upper Nile State unless they are intending to commit suicide. The steamers are what makes them proud and stubborn, disturbing our forces here and there. Now the case is over and the SPLA is in full control of the town. We have come this morning to Melut as an assessment team.”

Tuach said the government in Juba should not panic because the SPLA forces have done their job and that the oil wells will never be tempered with by any anti-government forces.