SPLA-IO rebels allied to exiled rebel leader and former First Vice President Riek Machar have finally confirmed the captured their main base of Pagak by the government troops.

Government sources last evening (Sunday 6th 2017) announced the captured of the border town which has served as Riek Machar’s rebel headquarters since 2014.

READ ALSO: Government troops finally capture Pagak from Riek Machar forces

The SPLA-IO-Riek spokespersons weren’t available for the comment. This morning, SPLA-IO-Riek deputy spokesman Lam Paul Gabriel in an interview with Reuters news agency said rebel forces pulled out of Pagak after coming under attack in the early hours of Sunday.

“We realized it would be costly for civilians and our forces have withdrawn from Pagak,” Lam said.