{UAH} Thousands Flee S. Sudan Town as Government Troops Advance
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8:34 AM |
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January 09, 2014
VOA news
Thousands of civilians have fled the capital of South Sudan's Unity State, amid fears of a new clash between government soldiers and rebel forces who control the town.
In a series of Twitter messages Thursday from the town of Bentiu, U.N. humanitarian official Toby Lanzer said he saw "virtually no civilians" in the center of town, and that shops in Bentiu's main market have been looted and largely destroyed.
Reports from the area say army troops loyal to President Salva Kiir are advancing toward the town, which has been held for several weeks by rebels who support the president's rival, Riek Machar.
Delegations for the two sides are discussing a proposed cease-fire at peace talks in Ethiopia. At last word, the talks were held up over the government's refusal to release 11 political detainees, as demanded by the rebels.
More than 1,000 people have been killed in nearly a month of violence in South Sudan. Some 200,000 have been displaced.
The United Nations says more than 60,000 are sheltering on U.N. bases throughout the country, including 8,000 in Bentiu.
South Sudan's unrest began December 15 with fighting at an army headquarters in the capital, Juba. President Kiir accused his former vice president, Machar, of a coup attempt.
Many soldiers aligned themselves with Machar and seized control of Bentiu and the Jonglei state capital, Bor. Heavy fighting has been reported this week in several parts of the country.
In a series of Twitter messages Thursday from the town of Bentiu, U.N. humanitarian official Toby Lanzer said he saw "virtually no civilians" in the center of town, and that shops in Bentiu's main market have been looted and largely destroyed.
Reports from the area say army troops loyal to President Salva Kiir are advancing toward the town, which has been held for several weeks by rebels who support the president's rival, Riek Machar.
Delegations for the two sides are discussing a proposed cease-fire at peace talks in Ethiopia. At last word, the talks were held up over the government's refusal to release 11 political detainees, as demanded by the rebels.
More than 1,000 people have been killed in nearly a month of violence in South Sudan. Some 200,000 have been displaced.
The United Nations says more than 60,000 are sheltering on U.N. bases throughout the country, including 8,000 in Bentiu.
South Sudan's unrest began December 15 with fighting at an army headquarters in the capital, Juba. President Kiir accused his former vice president, Machar, of a coup attempt.
Many soldiers aligned themselves with Machar and seized control of Bentiu and the Jonglei state capital, Bor. Heavy fighting has been reported this week in several parts of the country.
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