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South Sudan attackers storm UN base South Sudan attackers storm UN base
(about 3 hours later)
The United Nations says it fears casualties after attackers forced their way into a peacekeeping base in South Sudan's Jonglei state.The United Nations says it fears casualties after attackers forced their way into a peacekeeping base in South Sudan's Jonglei state.
Rebels from the country's second-largest ethnic group, the Nuer, attacked the base, targeting civilians of the majority Dinka ethnic community.Rebels from the country's second-largest ethnic group, the Nuer, attacked the base, targeting civilians of the majority Dinka ethnic community.
South Sudan has been in turmoil since President Salva Kiir accused his ex-deputy Riek Machar of mounting a coup.South Sudan has been in turmoil since President Salva Kiir accused his ex-deputy Riek Machar of mounting a coup.
The unrest, which broke out on Sunday, has killed some 500 people so far.The unrest, which broke out on Sunday, has killed some 500 people so far.
The conflict first erupted in the capital Juba but has since spread.The conflict first erupted in the capital Juba but has since spread.
President Salva Kiir, from the Dinka, has blamed the violence on a group of soldiers who support Mr Machar, a Nuer.President Salva Kiir, from the Dinka, has blamed the violence on a group of soldiers who support Mr Machar, a Nuer.
The president accuses them of trying to take power by force on Sunday night in a coup attempt by Mr Machar - something Mr Machar denies.The president accuses them of trying to take power by force on Sunday night in a coup attempt by Mr Machar - something Mr Machar denies.
The UN has expressed concern about a possible civil war between the Dinka and the Nuer.The UN has expressed concern about a possible civil war between the Dinka and the Nuer.
However, the government insists the clashes are over power and politics, noting that both sides involved in the clashes include leaders from different tribes.However, the government insists the clashes are over power and politics, noting that both sides involved in the clashes include leaders from different tribes.
"We condemn in strongest possible terms attempts to depict the coup as ethnic strife," a government statement said."We condemn in strongest possible terms attempts to depict the coup as ethnic strife," a government statement said.
'We want him to leave''We want him to leave'
UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters on Thursday that "fighting took place" at the compound in the remote town of Akobo in Jonglei.UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters on Thursday that "fighting took place" at the compound in the remote town of Akobo in Jonglei.
"We fear there may have been some fatalities but can't confirm who and how many," he said, warning that the situation in Akobo was deteriorating."We fear there may have been some fatalities but can't confirm who and how many," he said, warning that the situation in Akobo was deteriorating.
The spokesman said the attackers, mainly youth, had targeted 32 civilians from the Dinka, who had sought refuge at the base. The spokesman said the attackers, mainly youths, had targeted 32 civilians from the Dinka, who had sought refuge at the base.
He added that 60 troops from the peacekeeping mission would reinforce the compound.He added that 60 troops from the peacekeeping mission would reinforce the compound.
The UN is sheltering more than 30,000 civilians in five state capitals, including Juba and Bor.The UN is sheltering more than 30,000 civilians in five state capitals, including Juba and Bor.
The attack on the Jonglei base came after Nuer rebels seized control of Bor. Even before the unrest, Bor was seen as one of the most volatile areas of South Sudan.The attack on the Jonglei base came after Nuer rebels seized control of Bor. Even before the unrest, Bor was seen as one of the most volatile areas of South Sudan.
Earlier, there were reports of gun battles in the key town, as renegade officers fought with troops still loyal to the president.Earlier, there were reports of gun battles in the key town, as renegade officers fought with troops still loyal to the president.
In an interview with Radio France Internationale, Mr Machar called on the army to remove the president.In an interview with Radio France Internationale, Mr Machar called on the army to remove the president.
"We want him to leave, that's it," he told the station."We want him to leave, that's it," he told the station.
Mr Machar was sacked by Mr Kiir in July.Mr Machar was sacked by Mr Kiir in July.
The UN has called for political dialogue to end the crisis, and the Ugandan government says its president has been asked by the UN to mediate between the two sides.The UN has called for political dialogue to end the crisis, and the Ugandan government says its president has been asked by the UN to mediate between the two sides.
A delegation of East African foreign ministers earlier arrived in Juba to try to mediate in the crisis.A delegation of East African foreign ministers earlier arrived in Juba to try to mediate in the crisis.
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".
South Sudan has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent in 2011.South Sudan has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent 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.