This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25667030

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
South Sudan's pro-Machar rebels bolster Bentiu defences South Sudan's pro-Machar rebels bolster Bentiu defences
(35 minutes 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. Heavily armed men looted Bentiu's city centre, while thousands of residents fled to a UN base, a UN official said.
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' 'Explosions'
Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. More than 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.
The army said it was also advancing towards Bor, the capital of Jonglei state.
Bentiu and Bor are the two key centres held by the rebels.
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. Although both leaders have influential backers from the other's community, 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.
'Civilians killed'
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.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. There were "virtually no" civilians in the centre of Bentiu, while armed men had been looting shops, as well as aid agency property, he said.
Hundreds of civilians had gathered at a World Food Programme warehouse on the outskirts of the town on Thursday, seeking refuge. Army spokesman Philip Aguer said that government troops were "next to Bentiu" and some 15 kilometres from Bor, the AFP news agency reports.
They were brought to the UN compound. People who escaped the violence told an AFP reporter in the area that men with machine guns shot dead fleeing civilians, and torched entire villages and looted crops.
Bentiu and Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, are the two main centres under rebel control. A cattle herder who swam across a river to escape said he was fortunate to survive.
Fighting has also been reported around Bor. "They [the attackers] had a machine gun raised up on a sandbank, and they fired and fired and fired as we swam," Gabriel Bol told AFP.
"The bullets were hitting the water, but we knew we could not stop or they'd shoot us."
Hundreds of people were fleeing to the town of Minkammen, about 25 kilometres south of Bor.
About 80,000 people had already taken refuge there, AFP reports.
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.
"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.