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| Rebels take South Sudan town Bor after 'coup attempt' | Rebels take South Sudan town Bor after 'coup attempt' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| South Sudanese rebels have taken over a key town, the military has said, as fighting continues after Sunday's reported coup attempt. | South Sudanese rebels have taken over a key town, the military has said, as fighting continues after Sunday's reported coup attempt. |
| "Our soldiers have lost control of Bor to the force of Riek Machar," said army spokesman Philip Aguer. | "Our soldiers have lost control of Bor to the force of Riek Machar," said army spokesman Philip Aguer. |
| President Salva Kiir has accused Mr Machar, the former vice-president, of staging a coup - a claim he denies. | President Salva Kiir has accused Mr Machar, the former vice-president, of staging a coup - a claim he denies. |
| The unrest, which began in the capital Juba, has already killed 500 people and sparked fears of a civil war. | The unrest, which began in the capital Juba, has already killed 500 people and sparked fears of a civil war. |
| The United Nations has called for political dialogue to end the crisis, and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said about 20,000 people had taken refuge in UN compounds in Juba. | The United Nations has called for political dialogue to end the crisis, and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said about 20,000 people had taken refuge in UN compounds in Juba. |
| Britain and the US have both sent planes to airlift their nationals out of the country, and a US defence official described the situation as "getting ugly". | Britain and the US have both sent planes to airlift their nationals out of the country, and a US defence official described the situation as "getting ugly". |
| Since independence, several groups have taken up arms against the South Sudanese government. It is not clear if any of these groups were involved in the capture of Bor. | |
| Gun battles | Gun battles |
| On Wednesday the mayor of Bor, Nicholas Nhial Majak, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that violence had spread there from Juba, 200km (125 miles) away. | On Wednesday the mayor of Bor, Nicholas Nhial Majak, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that violence had spread there from Juba, 200km (125 miles) away. |
| Bor is the capital of Jonglei state, and is seen as one of the most volatile areas of South Sudan. | Bor is the capital of Jonglei state, and is seen as one of the most volatile areas of South Sudan. |
| Overnight there were reports of gun battles in the town, as renegade officers fought with troops still loyal to the president. | Overnight there were reports of gun battles in the town, as renegade officers fought with troops still loyal to the president. |
| "There was shooting last night...we don't have information on casualties or the displaced in the town, as operations are ongoing," Mr Aguer told reporters. | "There was shooting last night...we don't have information on casualties or the displaced in the town, as operations are ongoing," Mr Aguer told reporters. |
| But he added that the town's authorities were not answering their phones and were believed to have defected to the rebels' side. | But he added that the town's authorities were not answering their phones and were believed to have defected to the rebels' side. |
| Tensions are also said to be high in the states of Unity and Upper Nile, but in Juba - where the violence started - the situation appears to be calmer, with Mr Aguer saying "the streets are busy and shops are open". | Tensions are also said to be high in the states of Unity and Upper Nile, but in Juba - where the violence started - the situation appears to be calmer, with Mr Aguer saying "the streets are busy and shops are open". |
| President Salva Kiir has blamed the violence on a group of soldiers who support Mr Machar, saying they tried to take power by force on Sunday night. | President Salva Kiir has blamed the violence on a group of soldiers who support Mr Machar, saying they tried to take power by force on Sunday night. |
| But Mr Machar denied allegations that he had tried to stage a coup, telling the BBC: "Salva wanted to frame me. I had to flee. They are hunting me down." | But Mr Machar denied allegations that he had tried to stage a coup, telling the BBC: "Salva wanted to frame me. I had to flee. They are hunting me down." |
| He blamed Sunday's fighting on a conflict between members of the presidential guard, and added that government troops had used the incident to arrest some of his supporters. | He blamed Sunday's fighting on a conflict between members of the presidential guard, and added that government troops had used the incident to arrest some of his supporters. |
| The UN has expressed fears of a civil war between the two main ethnic bodies, the Dinka - Mr Kiir's group - and the Nuer, from which Mr Machar hails. | The UN has expressed fears of a civil war between the two main ethnic bodies, the Dinka - Mr Kiir's group - and the Nuer, from which Mr Machar hails. |
| But presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny played down the prospect of civil conflict, telling the BBC that while it was likely that civilians had been caught in the fighting, no-one was "targeting ethnic groups". | But presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny played down the prospect of civil conflict, telling the BBC that while it was likely that civilians had been caught in the fighting, no-one was "targeting ethnic groups". |
| South Sudan has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent from Sudan in 2011. | South Sudan has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent from Sudan in 2011. |
| The oil-rich country remains ethnically and politically divided, with many armed groups active. | The oil-rich country remains ethnically and politically divided, with many armed groups active. |
| After a peace deal was signed in 2005, Mr Machar was appointed vice-president of the South Sudan regional government. | After a peace deal was signed in 2005, Mr Machar was appointed vice-president of the South Sudan regional government. |
| He retained the position after independence in 2011 but was dropped in July when the whole cabinet was sacked. | He retained the position after independence in 2011 but was dropped in July when the whole cabinet was sacked. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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