South Sudan army says more military action possible against rebel fighters led by General Thomas Cirillo.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said the army will take action against NAS rebels if they do not end violence.

He said two government soldiers died in battles after attacks by insurgents loyal to the former army general Thomas Cirillo in Lobonok, an area located about 30 kilometers south of Juba on the east bank of the Nile.

“NAS rebels ambushed our forces between Lobonok and Karpeto, and as a result two soldiers were killed and ten others wounded. Our force was trying to rescue civilians who were being attacked by NAS forces on 16 December,” he said.

Lul further said two government soldiers were also killed and five others wounded after NAS fighters ambushed their forces in Yei River State on 16 December.

The military spokesman accused the rebel group of destroying Lumumba Bridge in Yei River State. He stressed that the army was ready to dislodge NAS rebels from their strongholds.” We are ready to fight Thomas Cirillo wherever he is with his forces,” he said.

Soba Samuel, a spokesman of the NAS faction, denied government reports that their forces had launched attacks.

Instead, he accused the government forces of attacking their defensive positions in Yei and Lobonok areas over the weekend. The opposition official called on the international community to investigate government attacks.