From Rob McKee and Warrior operations team: (1100 hours today 21st December)
UNITY STATE
There was fighting throughout the night in Division 4 headquarters in Bentiu and multiple sources say that SPLA Division 4 has split along ethnic lines, specifically between Dinka and Nuer.
There was fighting in Mayom County between Dinka and Nuer soldiers. It should also be noted that Mayom is the birthplace of General Peter Gadet and home of his original insurgency.
Rubkona market, near Bentiu, has been looted and destroyed.
Fighting also occurred in Pariang County but calm has returned this morning. Most residents have taken refuge inside the UNMISS compound and Warrior guards are helping in the registration process.
One road ambush was reported between Thar Jath (Leer) and Bentiu on Thursday, with some passengers were killed on an ethnic/tribal basis.
JONGLEI STATE
At 10:49 AM today 3 military helicopters attempted to land in Bor but came under heavy ground fire from militia forces. The landing was aborted.
Two UNMISS helicopters were shot yesterday by unidentified armed elements near Yuai (Uror).
One of these helicopters was forced to do an emergency landing and a second aircraft recovered its crew. No casualties were reported. This is the second attack on UNMISS assets in less than 24 hours.
Some UNMISS and UNHAS flights are still operating on an ad-hoc basis in Jonglei, but destinations are approved on a day-to-day and case-by case basis. An extraction of UN personnel from Gumuruk is reportedly ongoing at the time of writing.
There was more fighting overnight in Bor. The situation is tense and people are running out of food.
Three of our Field Officers are trapped inside the compound.
There are reports of armed Nuer youth moving south from Waat towards Bor to reinforce Peter Gadet’s militia.
Following the attack on the UNMISS compound in Akobo, in which both UN peacekeepers as well as civilians were killed, Warrior guards are still on site and confirm that some international staff remain inside.
NORTHERN BAHR EL GHAZAL STATE
It is calm but there is significant troop movement in Aweil East County, likely going north to the disputed Mile 14 area. Mile 14 is a disputed area of grazing land located between South Sudan and Sudan. It is a 23 kilometers stretch south of a river known as the Bahr Al-Arab in Sudan and the Kiir River in South Sudan.
REST OF THE COUNTRY
The rest of South Sudan is reportedly quiet but tension remains high.