Pro-government troops are battling Machar’s forces, but also local militias like the White Army, unleashing waves of aerial bombardments on their positions. To answer these questions, The New Humanitarian interviewed more than two dozen people, including White Army fighters and leaders, South Sudanese political officials, and regional experts. White Army fighters, for their part, bristled at accusations of loyalty to faraway politicians. Still, in northern Jonglei state, White Army fighters have had some success by pushing government forces from some of their redoubts along the Nile. Some White Army leaders, like Tuach, have pledged to continue the fight until the army is defeated, whatever the cost.