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South Sudan's pro-Machar rebels bolster Bentiu defences South Sudan's pro-Machar rebels bolster Bentiu defences
(about 3 hours later)
South Sudan's rebels are strengthening their defences in the key city of Bentiu in anticipation of a government offensive to recapture it, a BBC reporter there says.South Sudan's rebels are strengthening their defences in the key city of Bentiu in anticipation of a government offensive to recapture it, a BBC reporter there says.
Alastair Leithead says rebels brought a tank into the city in the oil-rich area, as the front line moves closer.Alastair Leithead says rebels brought a tank into the city in the oil-rich area, as the front line moves closer.
Thousands of people are taking refuge at a UN base on Bentiu's outskirts.Thousands of people are taking refuge at a UN base on Bentiu's outskirts.
At least 1,000 people have been killed in fighting since 15 December.At least 1,000 people have been killed in fighting since 15 December.
Regionally brokered talks to declare a ceasefire have stalled.Regionally brokered talks to declare a ceasefire have stalled.
'Ammunition destroyed''Ammunition destroyed'
Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.
The conflict erupted after President Salva Kiir accused his ex-deputy, Riek Machar, of plotting a coup - a charge he strongly denied.The conflict erupted after President Salva Kiir accused his ex-deputy, Riek Machar, of plotting a coup - a charge he strongly denied.
Mr Machar is backed by army deserters, believed to number at least 10,000, and militias from his Nuer ethnic group.Mr Machar is backed by army deserters, believed to number at least 10,000, and militias from his Nuer ethnic group.
Mr Kiir comes from South Sudan's largest ethnic group, the Dinka.Mr Kiir comes from South Sudan's largest ethnic group, the Dinka.
However, both leaders have influential backers in the other group, even though the conflict has often taken an ethnic dimension.However, both leaders have influential backers in the other group, even though the conflict has often taken an ethnic dimension.
Our reporter says he heard explosions and saw plumes of smoke coming out of a rebel-held military base on the road to Bentiu.Our reporter says he heard explosions and saw plumes of smoke coming out of a rebel-held military base on the road to Bentiu.
It seems the rebels are destroying ammunition as they withdraw from the front line, to prevent it from falling into the hands of advancing government troops, he says.It seems the rebels are destroying ammunition as they withdraw from the front line, to prevent it from falling into the hands of advancing government troops, he says.
Mr Kiir's forces are believed to be about 25km (16 miles) from Bentiu, capital of Unity state.Mr Kiir's forces are believed to be about 25km (16 miles) from Bentiu, capital of Unity state.
The state is rich in oil, the main foreign exchange earner of South Sudan.The 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.
Civilians from the Nuer community have been streaming into the UN base in recent days, unlike a few weeks ago when the rebel seizure of Bentiu led to Dinkas taking refuge at the base, our correspondent says.Civilians from the Nuer community have been streaming into the UN base in recent days, unlike a few weeks ago when the rebel seizure of Bentiu led to Dinkas taking refuge at the base, our correspondent says.
The base is now split into three, with a section for each of the two groups and a third for foreign nationals, he adds.The base is now split into three, with a section for each of the two groups and a third for foreign nationals, he adds.
The hospital in Bentiu was empty, a doctor who worked there said.The hospital in Bentiu was empty, a doctor who worked there said.
"Even the wounded patients ran away," Dr Hassan Mugne said on Twitter."Even the wounded patients ran away," Dr Hassan Mugne said on Twitter.
The UN's Deputy Special Representative in South Sudan, Toby Lanzer, tweeted that rebel forces had looted and largely destroyed shops in Bentiu's market.
There were "virtually no" civilians in the centre of Bentiu, he said.
Hundreds of civilians had gathered at a World Food Programme warehouse on the outskirts of the town on Thursday, seeking refuge.
They were brought to the UN compound.
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 has also been reported around Bor.Fighting has also been reported around Bor.
On Wednesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the humanitarian situation in South Sudan was dire.On Wednesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the humanitarian situation in South Sudan was dire.
"South Sudan is facing a serious crisis that comes on top of a situation that was already difficult," Peter Maurer, the ICRC president, said at the end of a three-day visit to the country."South Sudan is facing a serious crisis that comes on top of a situation that was already difficult," Peter Maurer, the ICRC president, 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," he said in a statement."It is unquestionable that the needs are dire, but their full scope is unknown," he said 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.