Malakal is a city in South Sudan. The city of Malakal is located in Malakal County, Upper Nile State, in the northeast of South Sudan, close to the International borders with the Republic of Sudan and with Ethiopia. The town is located on the banks of the White Nile, just north of its confluence with the Sobat River. This location lies approximately 650 kilometres (400 mi), by road, directly north of Juba, the capital of South Sudan and the largest city in that county. Malakal is the capital of Upper Nile State, South Sudan . It also serves as the headquarters of Makal County, in which it is located. During the Second Sudanese Civil War, the town was a garrison town of the Khartoum-based Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Following South Sudan's independence on 9 July 2011, the troops from the Republic of Sudan have retreated from Malakal. MalakaI was the site of the November 2006 Battle of Malakal. A major road linking Malakal with the town of Kurmuk at the border with Ethiopia is under repairs and renorvations to asphalt surface. The road is expected to be ready for commissioning by May 2013. The city of Malakal is also served by Malakal International Airport, one of the two International airports in South Sudan, the other being Juba International Airport. Water traffic on the White Nile River can travel as far north as Khartoum in the Republic of Sudan, and as far south as Adok in Lakes State. Malakal has very limited newspapers circulated in hardcopy form. However, the Juba based 'Citizen' is widely read around the town. In the eve of Independence day on July 9, 2011, The Upper Nile Times online newspaper was launched. This online digital newspaper is widely read around the town of Malakal and its surroundings. The newspaper also is one of the most rated in Upper Nile State, Southern Sudan and around the world. As of 2005 the population of Malakal was estimated at about 129,620.[5] The 2008 Sudanese census, which was boycotted by the South Sudanese government, recorded a population of about 126,500. However, those results are disputed by the authorities in Juba. In 2010, it was estimated that the population of Malakal had grown to about 139,450. Below is a table depicting the estimated population of the city from 1983 until 2010 from all sources. The following points of interest are found in or near the town of Malkal: The offices of Malakal City Council The headquarters of Malakal County Administration The headquarters of Upper Nile State Government Malakal International Airport - A civilian and military airport The White Nile River - Malakal lies on the eastern bank and the town of Kwogo lies on the western bank, across from Malakal Malakal Stadium - A public outdoor sports complex Upper Nile University - A public university, founded in 2007 Malakal Port - Located on the White Nile Upper Nile Primary School A branch of Nile Commercial Bank[9] A branch of Ivory Bank A branch of Equity Bank (South Sudan)[10] Malakal Vocational Training Center - A vocational school.