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Heavy fighting breaks out in Malakal – sources By: Deng Dekuek, The New Sudan Vision (NSV),
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Mar 3, 2009 - 4:13:21 PM

Heavy fighting breaks out in Malakal – sources

By: Deng Dekuek, The New Sudan Vision (NSV), www.newsudanvision.com

February 25, 2009 (Malakal, Sudan) - There are reports of heavy fighting coming from Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State, between the 7th Division of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA Proper) under the command of Major General Majier Amel, and the combined unit comprised of forces from Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), a component of Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) in Malakal and militia forces loyal to the notorious War-Lord Major General Gabriel Tanginya. Sources on the ground tell New Sudan Vision the fighting erupted around 8AM local time (+3GMT).

Also known as Gabriel Gatwech Chan, Tanginya is a millitia commander allied with Sudan Armed forces.

The number of casualties both military and civilian are not yet known. Confidential military sources say the SAF and the militia forces have, reportedly, been losing ground following a relentless assault by the 7th Division with heavy artillery and tanks.

The SAF and the militia have now been pushed towards the airport where they have taken refuge. There's generally a tense calm in other parts of Malakal with fighting still going on around the airport where Tanginya's forces have taken refuge.

SPLA forces have withdrawn some of their wounded to the military HQ at Hai El-Telfizion and to Malakal Hospital. According to the sources, Malakal has been under curfew and the situation has been tense over the last few days.

The NSV is yet to find out what triggered the latest fighting in Malakal. The town was recently a scene of traumatic tribal conflict. The fighting erupted on the 9th of January during the CPA anniversary between the Ngok (Jieng de Padang) and Chollo (Shilluk).

Gun fire could still be heard in the background as the NSV brings you this report. There's been no independent confirmation, however, NSV will keep you informed as the situation develops further.

This is not the first time for SPLA forces to come head to head with Tanginya's forces. Similar tension happened in 2006 when Tanginya's second in command, Mabor Dhol, refused to leave Malakal after state authority ordered them to leave the town. This resulted exchange of gunfire between Tanginya's forces and SPLA.