South Sudan continues fight against rebels in Unity state
Iran Press TV
Sat Apr 19, 2014 4:5PM GMT
South Sudan's army continues to fight rebels in the oil-rich state of Unity where rebels claim to have seized the town of Bentiu since Tuesday.
South Sudan's army said Saturday that it has lost contact with its commanders who are fighting the rebels in that state since Thursday.
Meanwhile, rebels claimed to have seized large amounts of military equipment in Bentiu after the army had earlier left in disarray.
However, the army dismissed the reports and said it was preparing a counterattack.
The army continues to fight rebels loyal to sacked vice-president Riek Machar, after the rebels launched an offensive against the country's oil fields in the area.
This is the second time the rebels have taken control of the oil-rich state. Back in December, they seized Bentiu, but were chased out a month later.
On Thursday, rebels also attacked a United Nations base in town of Bor, killing at least 58 people and wounding more than 100 others.
The UN Security Council condemned the attack on the camp as an "outrage" that may "constitute a war crime."
The fighting between troops of South Sudan President Salva Kiir, who is from the Dinka ethnic group, and Machar, a Nuer, erupted around the capital Juba on December 15 last year.
The armed conflict has claimed thousands of lives and forced over a million to flee their homes over the past months.
GMA/AB/SS
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