© Justin Lynch / AFP
Up to 272 dead in South Sudan, mortars & RPGs fired near UN compound
RT.com
Heavy fighting has broken out again in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, according to the United Nations mission to the country. The death toll has risen to 272 people, while gunfire has been reported near the UN’s compound in the city.
Gunshots, heavily armed exchange UN House area once again; going on now since approx. 08:25 @unmissmedia
— UNMISS (@unmissmedia) July 10, 2016
Representatives from the UN say residents in Juba fled after “heavy ground assault weaponry” was fired. A Hind Mi24 helicopter gunship has also been spotted flying over the capital. It is reportedly being used by President Salva Kiir’s troops to attack forces loyal to the country’s Vice President Riek Machar.
Machar’s residence was also attacked on Sunday by forces supporting President Kiir, however, his spokesman told Reuters that the situation is now quiet.
“Dr Machar’s residence was attacked twice today including using tanks and helicopter gunships. Helicopters from Kiir’s side attacked the residence twice,” the spokesman said.
A government source told Reuters that fighting between rival factions in the country has killed at least 272, including 33 civilians.
Hind Mi24 gunship over Juba pic.twitter.com/XPphqLMMJZ
— AnnaCavell (@AnnaCavell) July 10, 2016
Africa’s newest country celebrated its fifth anniversary since gaining independence from Sudan and there was relative calm on Saturday. However, on Sunday, gunfire was heard in the suburbs of Juba.
“For about 30 to 40 minutes we heard sounds of heavy artillery in the direction of Jebel area,” an aid worker based in Juba, who did not want to be named, told Reuters.
Smoke rises as gunfire rages on at Jebel Kujur, near Eye Radio and UN base pic.twitter.com/DAju42bNAt
— Eye Radio (@EyeRadioJuba) July 10, 2016
Meanwhile Kenya Airways says it has suspended flights to the airport in Juba during to the security situation in the capital.
We wish to advise our guests that we have suspended flights to Juba, South Sudan due to uncertain security situation.
— Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) July 10, 2016
The violence in South Sudan comes just months after President Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and rebel leader Machar, a Nuer, formed a new power-sharing transitional government, under a deal to end two years of civil war.
South Sudan spiraled into civil war at the end of 2013 after President Salva Kiir sacked his deputy Riek Machar. Thousands have been killed and millions driven from their homes during the conflict that began barely two years after the oil-rich state’s independence from neighboring Sudan in 2011.
On Saturday, the UN Security Council “voiced concern” over the recent clashes, stating that the warring parties are not “being serious” about observing the implemented truce. The UNSC urged the parties “to resolve differences in a spirit of cooperation” to avoid further bloodshed.
We wish to advise our guests that we have suspended flights to Juba, South Sudan due to uncertain security situation.
— Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) July 10, 2016
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in a statement that it was “deeply alarmed” by the violence.
“Children and their families in South Sudan have suffered enough from violence, displacement and killings in this brutal conflict. It is time that peace becomes more than agreements on paper, but a reality for those who are most vulnerable,” said the UNICEF regional director for eastern and southern Africa, Leila Pakkala.