South Sudan army accuses rebels of planning to launch fresh attack, and denies using cluster bombs

Khartoum-Juba-The South Sudan state army has accused the rebels led by former vice President Machar of planning a new attack on the strategic city of Malakal, and denied what has been circulated that the army has used cluster bombs against the rebels in Jonglei state.

The spokesman of the South Sudan army has told Sudan Tribune that many of the soldiers of his forces have never heard about these bombs before, saying that the Ugandan allies cannot use any kind of these weapons without our consent. He added that we will not allow this in our local war, saying that any use of such weapons will lead to several disasters.

The spokesman has called on the Human Rights Watch to join the national investigation team to verify the accuracy of these reports.

He said that Machar forces are now staying at 8 kilometers from Malakal city, the capital of the oil-rich Upper Nile state, adding that the SPLM army in Malakal expects an attack by rebels at any time. He affirmed readiness to defend the regional capital.

.A UN mine sweeping team has mentioned presence of remnants of cluster bombs along the road from Juba to Bor in Jongeli state.