South Sudan army reclaims control of key oil town of Malakal

Juba (AFP) - South Sudan's army said it had seized back full control of the strategic town of Malakal Monday, the last major settlement under rebel control, after almost a week of bitter street fighting.

Rebel forces staged a fresh attack last Tuesday to seize the riverside town, which has changed hands three times since the conflict in South Sudan began last month.

Government forces, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), fought tank battles on the streets of the northern town, the capital of oil-producing Upper Nile state.

"Malakal is finally in the hands of the SPLA... they (the rebels) were flushed out of the town," army spokesman Philip Aguer said.

Thousands of civilians have been sheltering at the United Nations' base in the town, with dozens wounded even there as stray bullets hit the overcrowded compound and peacekeepers fire warning shots to protect them.

The recapture of Malakal comes just two days after government troops celebrated the retaking of Bor, capital of Jonglei state.

Map of South Sudan and neighbouring countries summarising the humanitarian crisis (AFP Photo/)

References

1. ^{^} South Sudan crisis (news.yahoo.com)