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Yoweri Museveni: Uganda troops fighting South Sudan rebels | Yoweri Museveni: Uganda troops fighting South Sudan rebels |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ugandan troops are fighting alongside South Sudan government forces against rebels, President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed. | Ugandan troops are fighting alongside South Sudan government forces against rebels, President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed. |
He said the combined forces had defeated rebels in a "big battle" north of the capital Juba. | He said the combined forces had defeated rebels in a "big battle" north of the capital Juba. |
Mr Museveni said some Ugandans had been killed but did not give any details. | Mr Museveni said some Ugandans had been killed but did not give any details. |
Several thousand people are believed to have been killed over the past month in South Sudan in the conflict between the government and the rebels. | Several thousand people are believed to have been killed over the past month in South Sudan in the conflict between the government and the rebels. |
Army spokesman Lt Col Paddy Ankunda said Uganda has about two battalions, or 1,600 soldiers, in the country. | |
The announcement comes as fighting continues around the cities of Bor and Malakal - government forces are moving on Bor, while the rebels are trying to seize control of Malakal. | The announcement comes as fighting continues around the cities of Bor and Malakal - government forces are moving on Bor, while the rebels are trying to seize control of Malakal. |
The conflict broke out on 15 December, when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup - charges he denies. | The conflict broke out on 15 December, when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup - charges he denies. |
The dispute has seen killings along ethnic lines - Mr Kiir is a member of the Dinka community, the country's largest, while Mr Machar is from the Nuer ethnic group. | The dispute has seen killings along ethnic lines - Mr Kiir is a member of the Dinka community, the country's largest, while Mr Machar is from the Nuer ethnic group. |
In a summit in Angola, Mr Museveni said: "Only the other day, 13 January, the SPLA [South Sudan army] and elements of our army had a big battle with these rebel troops at a point about 90 kilometres [55 miles] from Juba, where we inflicted a big defeat on them." | In a summit in Angola, Mr Museveni said: "Only the other day, 13 January, the SPLA [South Sudan army] and elements of our army had a big battle with these rebel troops at a point about 90 kilometres [55 miles] from Juba, where we inflicted a big defeat on them." |
"Unfortunately, many lives were lost on the side of the rebels. We also took casualties and also had some dead." | "Unfortunately, many lives were lost on the side of the rebels. We also took casualties and also had some dead." |
Mr Museveni questioned why, if Mr Machar had not planned a coup, forces loyal to him had gone on to seize control of cities such as Bor. | Mr Museveni questioned why, if Mr Machar had not planned a coup, forces loyal to him had gone on to seize control of cities such as Bor. |
Ugandan officials have previously said that their special forces were only in South Sudan to help evacuate their nationals. | Ugandan officials have previously said that their special forces were only in South Sudan to help evacuate their nationals. |
Since South Sudan became independent in 2011, thousands of Ugandans have crossed the border to work or do business. | Since South Sudan became independent in 2011, thousands of Ugandans have crossed the border to work or do business. |
Some 40,000 Ugandan nationals have been evacuated since the conflict broke out. | Some 40,000 Ugandan nationals have been evacuated since the conflict broke out. |
On Tuesday, Uganda's parliament approved the decision to send troops to South Sudan. | On Tuesday, Uganda's parliament approved the decision to send troops to South Sudan. |