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Indian UN peacekeepers killed in S Sudan attack | Indian UN peacekeepers killed in S Sudan attack |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Two Indian peacekeepers have died in an attack on a United Nations compound in South Sudan's Jonglei state, India's foreign ministry has said. | |
Rebels from the second-largest ethnic group, the Nuer, stormed the base on Thursday, targeting civilians of the majority Dinka ethnic community. | Rebels from the second-largest ethnic group, the Nuer, stormed the base on Thursday, 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. |
Mr Kiir, who is a Dinka, has blamed the violence on a group of soldiers who support Mr Machar, a Nuer. | Mr Kiir, who is a 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 - a claim the former vice president denies. | The president accuses them of trying to take power by force on Sunday night in a coup attempt by Mr Machar - a claim the former vice president denies. |
'Growing violence' | 'Growing violence' |
Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin tweeted that Dharmendra Sangwan and Kumar Pal Singh had been killed in the attack on the UN compound, in the town of Akobo. | |
There were 43 Indian peacekeepers in total at the compound, India's UN envoy Asoke Mukerji said. | |
A UN spokesman said the attackers, mainly youths, had targeted 32 Dinka civilians who had sought refuge at the base. | A UN spokesman said the attackers, mainly youths, had targeted 32 Dinka civilians who had sought refuge at the base. |
Security at the compound has been increased. | Security at the compound has been increased. |
The UN has expressed worry about a possible civil war between the Dinka and the Nuer. | The UN has expressed worry about a possible civil war between the Dinka and the Nuer. |
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply concerned by reports of growing violence in many parts of South Sudan, human rights abuses and killings fuelled by ethnic tensions". | UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply concerned by reports of growing violence in many parts of South Sudan, human rights abuses and killings fuelled by ethnic tensions". |
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. |
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. |
Early on Thursday, Nuer rebels seized control of Bor. Even before the unrest, the town was seen as one of the most volatile areas of South Sudan. | Early on Thursday, Nuer rebels seized control of Bor. Even before the unrest, the town was seen as one of the most volatile areas of South Sudan. |
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. |