Pagak offensive

Pagak offensive
Part of South Sudanese Civil War

Most of the offensive took place in southern Latjoor (red), though other places such as Mathiang were also affected.
Date1 July – 25 August 2017
(1 month, 3 weeks and 3 days)
Location
Northeastern Greater Upper Nile, South Sudan
Result Partial government victory
Territorial
changes		 Pagak captured by SPLA, though surrounding areas remain unsafe or under rebel control
Belligerents

South Sudan SPLM government

  • SPLM-IO (Juba faction)[1]
Rebel claims:
 Uganda[2]
JEM[3][4]
SPLM-N[3][4]		 South Sudan SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Riek Machar
Commanders and leaders
South Sudan Taban Deng Gai
(First Vice President)
South Sudan Maj. Gen. Bol Ruach Rom[5]
(Governor of Maiwut County)
South Sudan Gen. Justin Nhial Batoang[5]
(6th Division commander)
South Sudan Brig. Gen. Mun Gach Thoch[6]
(SPLM-IO Juba faction commander)
South Sudan Brig. Gen. Lual Dak Gatkek[6]
(SPLM-IO Juba faction commander)		 South Sudan Maj. Gen. Khor Chuol Giet[4]
(5th Division chief commander)
South Sudan Maj. Gen. James Ochan Puot[7][8]
(Special Brigade Two commander)
South Sudan Maj. Gen. Peter Lim Bol[4]
(Sector 4 deputy commander)
South Sudan Maj. Tut Rom Surrendered[9]
(Jotome County commissioner)
Units involved

SPLA

Uganda UPDF (rebel claim)[2]

SPLM/A-IO

  • 5th Division[4]
  • Sector 4[4]
  • Tiger Battalion[2]
  • Special Brigade Two[7]
Strength
6,000 (rebel claim)[6] Unknown
Casualties and losses
Heavy (rebel claim)[6] Unknown
Tens of thousands displaced[10]

The Pagak offensive was a major military operation by the South Sudanese government during the South Sudanese Civil War with the aim of capturing the strategic town of Pagak and the wider Maiwut County from Riek Machar's SPLM-IO rebels. Since the civil war's beginning, Pagak had served as headquarters and stronghold for the rebels, and its loss was believed to possibly greatly weaken the insurgency. A large part of the government forces that took part in the offensive are members of the SPLM-IO (Juba faction), a break-away group from Machar's movement that is loyal to First Vice President Taban Deng Gai. Though pro-government forces managed to capture Pagak on 6 August, their attempts to secure the surrounding areas proved unsuccessful. As result, the SPLA-held corridor between Mathiang and Pagak remained unsafe.

  1. ^ a b c "South Sudan army captures Ethiopia border town held by rebels". Africanews. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Ugandan air force carries out airstrikes on South Sudanese rebels positions in Upper Nile". South Sudan News Agency. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b "South Sudan deploys more troops to Upper Nile as fighting intensifies". South Sudan News Agency. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "South Sudan rebels warn of "river of body bags" as fighting rages in Upper Nile". South Sudan News Agency. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "SPLM-IO Taban faction calls on refugees return to Maiwut State". Sudan Tribune. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d "South Sudan rebels seize Pagak as government troops flee to Ethiopia". South Sudan News Agency. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Breaking News: Pagak is free, General Ochan Puot is calling upon civilians to return home". Africans Press. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Tension high as SPLA-IO threatens to attack government soldiers at Pagak bridge". South Sudan News Agency. 10 August 2017. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  9. ^ "Opposition figure, officers defect to FVP Taban faction". Sudan Tribune. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  10. ^ Jason Patinkin (12 August 2017). "South Sudan Rebels Fight Back After Losing Headquarters". Voice of America. Retrieved 8 August 2017.