 Both the South Sudanese government and JEM have repeatedly denied such claims, but the final report of the Panel of Experts on the Sudan from December 2016 stated to the United Nations Security Council that “"some sources informed the Panel of the existence of JEM bases in the Raja area and in Deim Zubeir".”

Many more IDPs arrived in Deim Zubeir / Uyujuku from Raja after clashes in June 2016 and April 2017.In August 2017, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported that the population of Deim Zubeir was 54,000 people and included 18,000 displaced who had fled not only from Raja, but also from Korogana and Sopo.In April 2018, more clashes took place ""around"" Deim Zubeir between government troops based in the town and rebel forces of former Vice-President Riek Machar.