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South Sudan's Bentiu city residents flee government advance | South Sudan's Bentiu city residents flee government advance |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Thousands of people are fleeing the South Sudanese city of Bentiu amid fears of a government offensive to recapture the oil-rich area from rebels, a BBC reporter there says. | Thousands of people are fleeing the South Sudanese city of Bentiu amid fears of a government offensive to recapture the oil-rich area from rebels, a BBC reporter there says. |
Many people are taking refuge in a UN base in Bentiu, says Alastair Leithead. | Many people are taking refuge in a UN base in Bentiu, says Alastair Leithead. |
Meanwhile, ceasefire talks between the two sides appear to be deadlocked over the government's imprisonment of 11 alleged coup plotters. | Meanwhile, ceasefire talks between the two sides appear to be deadlocked over the government's imprisonment of 11 alleged coup plotters. |
At least 1,000 people have been killed in the conflict. | At least 1,000 people have been killed in the conflict. |
Nearly 200,000 people have been forced from their homes in the fighting, which has seen ethnic violence between the Dinka and Nuer communities. | Nearly 200,000 people have been forced from their homes in the fighting, which has seen ethnic violence between the Dinka and Nuer communities. |
Many foreign governments have evacuated their nationals, while many South Sudanese are crossing by land into neighbouring states. | |
The conflict broke out in mid-December when President Salva Kiir accused his ex-deputy, Riek Machar, of plotting a coup. | The conflict broke out in mid-December when President Salva Kiir accused his ex-deputy, Riek Machar, of plotting a coup. |
Mr Machar denied the allegation, and called for the unconditional release of 11 of his allies who were detained over the alleged plot. | Mr Machar denied the allegation, and called for the unconditional release of 11 of his allies who were detained over the alleged plot. |
On Wednesday, regional mediators Seyoum Mesfin and Lazurus Sumbeiywo flew out of South Sudan's capital, Juba, after talks with Mr Kiir. | |
'Heavy artillery fire' | |
However, they failed to break the deadlock over the fate of the detainees, a key obstacle to the two sides negotiating a ceasefire, Juba-based journalist Mading Ngor told the BBC's Focus on Africa. | |
Mr Kiir offered to free the detainees to take part in the regionally-brokered talks, if the discussions were moved from Ethiopia to Juba. | |
However, he said they would have to return to their places of detention at night. | However, he said they would have to return to their places of detention at night. |
This offer was immediately rejected by Mr Machar's allies. | This offer was immediately rejected by Mr Machar's allies. |
Government troops are believed to be about 25 kilometres (16 miles) from Bentiu, capital of Unity state, our correspondent says. | |
Unity state is rich in oil, the main foreign exchange earner of South Sudan. | Unity state is rich in oil, the main foreign exchange earner of South Sudan. |
Oil production has dropped by 20% since the conflict started. | Oil production has dropped by 20% since the conflict started. |
Bentiu and Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, are the two main centres under rebel control. | Bentiu and Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, are the two main centres under rebel control. |
Fighting was continuing around Bor, as government forces tried to recapture it, army spokesman Philip Aguer said, AFP news agency reports. | Fighting was continuing around Bor, as government forces tried to recapture it, army spokesman Philip Aguer said, AFP news agency reports. |
It says its reporter reached the town of Minkammen, 25 kilometres south of Bor, and the area was flooded with fleeing civilians. | It says its reporter reached the town of Minkammen, 25 kilometres south of Bor, and the area was flooded with fleeing civilians. |
Heavy artillery fire could also be heard in the distance, AFP reports. | Heavy artillery fire could also be heard in the distance, AFP reports. |
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the humanitarian situation in South Sudan is dire. | |
"South Sudan is facing a serious crisis that comes on top of a situation that was already difficult," ICRC president Peter Maurer said, at the end of a three-day visit to the country. | |
"It is unquestionable that the needs are dire, but their full scope is unknown," Mr Maurer added in a statement. | |
South Sudan is the world's newest state. | South Sudan is the world's newest state. |
It became independent in 2011 after seceding from Sudan. | It became independent in 2011 after seceding from Sudan. |
Mr Kiir comes from the largest ethnic group, the Dinka, while Mr Machar is a Nuer. | |
Both leaders have influential backers in the other group, even though the conflict has taken an ethnic dimension. | |
Mabior Garang, a Dinka, is a key member of the rebel delegation in talks in Ethiopia. He is the son of veteran southern leader John Garang, who died in 2005. |