2016–17 Wau clashes

2016–17 Wau clashes
Part of the South Sudanese Civil War, and the ethnic violence in South Sudan
UN protection of civilians (PoC) site in Wau town, where around 29.000 refugees stay who were displaced during the fighting.
Date 23 June 2016 – present (9 months, 4 weeks and 2 days) Location Wau State, South Sudan Status Ongoing Government re-secures Wau town
Belligerents
Local opposition Fertit tribal militias SPLM-IO rebels National Salvation Front (NAS)(since 9 March 2017)	SPLM government SPLM-IO (Taban Deng Gai splinter faction)
Commanders and leaders
Brig. Gen. Augustine Charles (SPLM-IO commander of Western Bahr el Ghazal) Maj. Gen. Ashhab Khamis Fahal Ukanda (SPLM-IO commander) Gissmalla Arnu(SPLM-IO commander) Peter Tingo (SPLM-IO shadow governor of Wau by June 2016) Dominic Ukello (SPLM-IO shadow governor of Wau by early 2017) Col. Nicola Gabriel Adam (SPLM-IO spokesman in Wau) Gen. Faiz Ismail Fatur (NAS commander of Western Bahr el Ghazal)	Gen. Paul Malong Awan (leading operations commander since April 2017) Lt. Gen. Mangar Buong Aluenge (SPLA deputy chief of staff) Elias Waya Nyipuoc (POW) (Governor of Wau State, dismissed & arrested) Andrea Mayan Achor (Replacement Governor of Wau State) Lt. Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak (5th Division chief commander) Gen. Magok Magok (5th Division deptuty commander) Brig. Gen. Peter Par Jiek † (Wau operations commander) Col. Abraham Bol Chut Dhuol † (5th Division director of logistics) Gen. Thayip Gatluak (Mathiang Anyoor commander) Anthony Taban  (Ngo Baggari County Commissioner)
Units involved
SPLM-IO Western Bahar Ghazal Lion Forces (WBGLF)	Government forces SPLA 5th Division South Sudan Air Force Dinka tribal militias Mathiang Anyoor
Strength
2,400+	Several thousand fighters 1,200(in Momoi and Abushaka) Several Mil Mi-17s and Mil Mi-24s
Casualties and losses
500+ killed(as of late June 2016) 70,000–150,000 displaced

Ongoing

Local opposition

SPLM government

SPLM-IO

Government forces

Several thousand fighters

Heavy clashes take place in the Wau State since late June 2016 between the Dinka-dominated Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and local opposition forces, consisting of tribal Fertit militias as well as fighters claiming allegiance to Riek Machar. It is unclear to what extent these rebels are actually part of the SPLM-IO or acting independently while using the SPLM-IO's name. So far, the clashes resulted in the arrest of the state's governor, Elias Waya Nyipuoc, widespread death and destruction in the state capital, Wau town, and the displacement of up to 150,000 people.

...
Wikipedia