At least 23 people have been killed and thousands displaced in fighting that has raged since the beginning of October between the army and opposition forces in South Sudan.
South Sudan, which became the world's newest nation after seceding from Sudan in 2011, suffers from chronic insecurity amid clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those supporting his rival and former deputy, Riek Machar, who has been detained since March 2025 on charges of crimes against humanity.
Tony Chol Ayat, a government official in the Ruweng region (north), said that forces loyal to Machar had launched three attacks there since October 4, the latest on Thursday.
The clashes resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people, according to the source, a figure confirmed by security sources.
Estimates suggest that between 25,000 and over 100,000 people have fled the fighting.
The army spokesman declined to comment on the reports, while sources within forces loyal to Machar did not respond to requests for comment.
South Sudan, one of the world's poorest and most corrupt countries, is witnessing an escalation of deadly violence, fueled by ethnic tensions and conflicts over resources, particularly cattle, amidst escalating political tensions.
Forces loyal to Salva Kiir and Riek Machar fought a bloody war between 2013 and 2018 that claimed the lives of more than 400,000 people.
Despite this turbulent situation, the country is preparing to hold presidential and legislative elections on December 22, after several postponements.
But the UN Human Rights Commission in South Sudan warned that holding elections under the current circumstances "could spark a new war."
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