20110312
xinhua

KHARTOUM, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Sudan People's Liberation Army ( SPLA) on Saturday said at least 30 people were killed in military clashes between its forces and hostile militias that attacked Malakal city in south Sudan.

"The SPLA repulsed a group of hostile militias after they infiltrated into Malakal, capital of Upper Nile State, and randomly opened fire on the city," SPLA spokesman Philip Aguer told Xinhua.

"The attacking group infiltrated into Malakal city in civil costumes before the attack. The SPLA has managed to pursue the group, killing 30 of them and arresting one," he added.

"Civilians were exposed to gunshots but until now we could not know whether there were victims among the civilians or not," he said, adding that the SPLA was still chasing the elements of the attacking militia.