Initial offensives and capture of Yuai
On 23 December, 2025, the SPLA-IO accused South Sudanese forces of launching an attack on their base at Panyim, targeting the SPLA-IO commissioner for Nyirol County Peter Koang. In response, the SPLA-IO launched an attack on Waat, described as an SSPDF stronghold in the Lou Nuer area and the headquarters of Nyirol County, capturing the town and killing several government soldiers and threatening an advance on the strategic town of Yuai. [9] Over the next several days, the SPLA-IO advanced to Pathai, capturing it by 28 December, with Peter Koang stated that fighting would continue until Riek Machar was released and the SSPDF withdrew from Lou Neur areas. [10] The next day, the SSPDF launched an airstrike on SPLA-IO controlled Lankien, killing at least 11 civilians. [11] The SSPDF subsequently announced evacuation order for Nyirol, Uror, and Akobo counties. [12] By 2 January, SPLA-IO advanced to Yuai, capturing it after a short battle, effectively dissolving SSPDF presence in Nyirol, Uror, and Akobo, beside small pockets in the Pading and Pulturuk areas. [13] During the fighting, a head chief of ethnic peace mission was killed. [14]
On 3 January, 1,000 SSOA soldiers, led by Brigadier General Much Banang, defected to the Jonglei SPLA-IO after the SSOA was reportedly planning to integrate into the SSPDF. [15] On the same day, the SPLA-IO captured an SSPDF base in Wau Payam, Ayod County. [16] On 7 January, Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States condemned an order by SPLM-IO commander Major General John Bayak to seize aid vehicles in Jonglei, which the SPLM-IO denied as fake news. [17]
Capture of Pajut and subsequent government counteroffensive
By the 10th, SSPDF forces began stationing in Pajut for possible offensive. [18] . Despite this troop buildup, 6 days later the SPLA-IO Kit-Gwang faction, which signed a peace agreement with the government in February 2025 announced their capture of Pajut. Kit-Gwang's leader Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual stated that their earlier peace agreement was voided, and claimed that fighting would continue to Juba. [19] [20] On 19 January, SPLA-IO forces in Pigi County attacked the SSPDF base at Mat Boma before retreating to Ayok village. [21]
We are tired of the problem of Greater Upper Nile [...] When we arrive there, I don't want you to spare an elderly, or a chicken, a house, nor even a life, so that they don't disturb us every year.
On 19 January after a short offensive, the SSPDF claimed to have recaptured Pajut and killed 46 soldiers, which the SPLA-IO denied. [23] 2 days later, SSPDF forces mass in Baidit, preparing to reinforce Poktap and Ayod. [24] During a speech to his militia at Badait, Gen. John Olony told his troops to "spare no one" and "raze every home," [25] drawing condemnation and accusations of human rights abuses from international organisations. [26] [27] On 25 January, the SSPDF declared a second evacuation order for SPLM-IO controlled counties, alongside officially announcing the beginning Operation Enduring Peace, an offensive to recapture lost territories. [28] The next day, the SSPDF captured the villages of Wek and Tiam, close to Yuai. Opposition forces accused the army of burning homes during their advance. [29] On 30 January, tensions were further inflamed by Gen. John Olony after, on a social media post in Poktop, Olony claimed that violence could be quelled by the creation of an ethnic "Nuer State" separate from South Sudan. [30]
On 3 February, the South Sudanese military claimed that it had recaptured all bases in northern Jonglei previously lost during the SPLM-IO's offensive. The next day, the SPLM-IO's spokesperson Pal Mai Deng confirmed that the opposition had withdrew from Motot, Pajut, Pathai, Pieri and Yuai, but stated that the withdrawal was tactical and accused the government of atrocities against the civilians in the towns. [31] [32]
Nuer White Army 
Riek Machar (arrested)
Salva Kiir 
Santino Deng Wol