South Sudan confirms capture of strategic town

Government forces of South Sudan has recaptured the strategic town of Leer in the oil-rich Unity State, Information Minister Michael Makuei confirmed on Thursday.

"Our forces have seized Leer and Adok areas," Makuei told Xinhua over the phone from Juba.

"This means the whole Unity State has come under the control of government forces," he said.

Makuei denied rebel claims of seizing Foluj oilfield in Upper Nile State. "The rebels could not approach Foluj oilfield. These were false allegations."

On Wednesday, South Sudanese rebels said their forces have gained control over great parts of Foluj oilfield.

A number of foreign oil companies are still operating in South Sudan.

Since last Friday, rebels have been launching major attacks on Malakal, the capital city of Upper Nile State.

South Sudan, which became independent in 2011, plunged into violence in December 2013, when fighting erupted between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and defectors headed by his former deputy Riek Machar.

The conflict soon turned into an all-out war, with violence taking on an ethnic dimension that pitted the president's Dinka tribe against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.

The clashes have left thousands of South Sudanese dead and forced around 1.9 million people to flee their homes. Endit