South Sudan opposition leader Oyet Nathaniel. [Photo courtesy]LEER – Forces loyal to SPLA-IO leader Oyet Nathaniel have seized control of Adok Port in South Sudan’s Unity State following two days of fighting with a rival faction, with between 10 and 15 fighters reportedly killed on both sides, local sources told Sudans Post on Wednesday.

Two local youths confirmed that forces aligned with Oyet had taken control of the strategic river port in Leer County, the home area of opposition leader Riek Machar, following renewed fighting on Wednesday morning.

“I am speaking to you from Adok Port,” one of the youths told Sudans Post, confirming the presence of Oyet-aligned forces in the area.

A second youth separately confirmed that the faction had captured the port following clashes with forces loyal to Regina Joseph Kaba, who has declared herself acting chairperson of the SPLA-IO.

Local sources said between 10 and 15 people had been killed across both sides during the fighting, although Sudans Post could not independently verify the casualty figures or establish how many fighters from each faction had died.

The capture followed renewed clashes that began at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, according to two residents of Leer town who reported hearing heavy gunfire from the direction of Adok Port, approximately 20 kilometres southeast of the town.

Speaking to Sudans Post earlier, SPLA-IO deputy spokesman Lt. Col. Chuol Puot Diu, who is loyal to Oyet’s leadership, accused forces aligned with Kaba and Gen. Dhiling Keah Chuol of launching unprovoked attacks against his faction’s positions on Tuesday.

Diu said the rival forces had previously been stationed together at Adok Port before tensions escalated following a leadership dispute within the opposition movement.

“Yesterday the forces who are loyal to Regina [Joseph Kaba] and Gen. Dhiling Keah Chuol attack the forces of SPLM/SPLA-IO with in Adok Port because they live together in Adok Port, But our forces withdrew from Adok Port due to avoid fighting,” he said.

He also accused the rival faction of attacking the headquarters of Leer County in Rubkong and forcing his faction’s troops to retreat towards Thoor village near Adok Port.

“However, their forces also launched a surprise attack yesterday where they attacked the [SPLM-IO] Commissioner of Leer County at the county headquarters in Rubkong. We repulsed that attack, but today morning they launched another attack on our forces in Rupkong push them back to Thoor village which is near Adok Port.”

Sudans Post was unable to obtain an immediate response from a spokesman for the SPLA-IO faction loyal to Kaba, despite several telephone calls that went unanswered.

The fighting reflects deepening divisions within the SPLA-IO, whose rival factions have been competing for control of the opposition movement following an internal leadership struggle.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.