At least 14 soldiers were killed on Monday in a clash between members of Unified Forces VIP Protection Unit, involving sections of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) deployed in Athony village in the disputed Special Abyei Administrative Area.

Athony was designated as a buffer zone by the government to prevent recurring conflicts between Twic and Ngok communities of Warrap and Abyei respectively.

Addressing reporters at SSPDF headquarters in Bilpham on Wednesday, army spokesperson Maj.Gen Lul Ruai Koang said the clash began at 4:30 p.m. when two soldiers  – one from SSPDF and the other from SPLA-IO – started fighting at Athony market.

He however noted that there are varying reports on cause of the two soldiers’ fight. One version suggests a personal disagreement at a tea place, while another indicates involvement in a love triangle.

“There are two conflicting versions on the cause of the clashes. One version says it was purely personal misunderstanding between the two offices at a tea place. They differed. The first version says it was a love triangle. The two men were reported to be in [an] affair with one lady. So they started quarrelling,” said Koang.

He stated the conflict then spread resulting to the death of 14 soldiers, including six from SPLA-IO and eight from SSPDF

“The officer from SPLA-IO opened fire on our [SSPDF] officer at the rank of captain, he shot him and killed him. And then their bodyguards opened fire on each other, and as a result, the two officers died in the clashes. The clashes started spreading from the market to the main checkpoint and to the main barracks.  All in all, a total of 14 servicemen were killed. Six from SPLA-IO and eight from SSPDF,” he added.

The army spokesperson said one civilian was also killed in crossfire according to information from the commissioner of Twic county in Warrap state.

He added that five soldiers who were injured in the incident are receiving treatment at Turalei St Teresa Hospital in Abyei.

Gen. Lul explained that the incident was not politically motivated and that an investigation is currently underway.

He emphasized that this is the first time members of the VIP protection unit have been involved in such a clash.