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South Sudan's army claims to have won oil town of Bentiu from Machar's rebels South Sudan's army claims to have won oil town of Bentiu from Machar's rebels
(about 2 hours later)
South Sudan's army claimed to have regained Bentiu from rebel forces on Friday, wresting back control of an oil-rich region where production had been halted by fighting since early January. South Sudan's army has claimed to have regained Bentiu from rebel forces, wresting back control of an oil-rich region where production had been halted by fighting since early January.
"It happened this afternoon at 2.30pm," (11.30 GMT), Philip Aguer, a spokesman for the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) government forces, told Reuters of the recapture of Unity state's capital. "When you control Bentiu, you control all the oilfields in Unity state.""It happened this afternoon at 2.30pm," (11.30 GMT), Philip Aguer, a spokesman for the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) government forces, told Reuters of the recapture of Unity state's capital. "When you control Bentiu, you control all the oilfields in Unity state."
There was no independent confirmation. More than three weeks of fighting have killed more than 1,000 people and driven 230,000 from their homes. The clashes have continued despite stuttering peace talks in neighbouring Ethiopia. There was no independent confirmation. More than three weeks of fighting have left more than 1,000 people dead and driven 230,000 from their homes. The clashes have continued despite stuttering peace talks in neighbouring Ethiopia.
South Sudan's oil production fell by 45,000 barrels per day to 200,000 bpd after oilfields in Unity state were closed due to fighting between rebels loyal to the former vice-president Riek Machar and the SPLA forces of President Salva Kiir. South Sudan's oil production fell by 45,000 to 200,000 barrels a day after oilfields in Unity state were closed due to fighting between rebels loyal to the former vice-president Riek Machar and the SPLA forces of President Salva Kiir.
Upper Nile state is still pumping about 200,000 bpd, the government says. Upper Nile state is still pumping about 200,000 bbarrels a day, the government says.
Rebels accused neighbouring Uganda of launching air strikes against their positions, something Kampala has publicly denied. At Kiir's request, Ugandan troops already patrol Juba's airport and guard the presidential palace. Rebels accused neighbouring Uganda of launching air strikes against their positions, which Kampala has publicly denied. At Kiir's request, Ugandan troops already patrol Juba's airport and guard the presidential palace.
Separately, the United Nations has accused both rebels and government forces of obstructing the aid response to the nation's humanitarian crisis.Separately, the United Nations has accused both rebels and government forces of obstructing the aid response to the nation's humanitarian crisis.
Rebels had looted warehouses, commandeered aid agency vehicles and ransacked property in both Bentiu and the town of Bor, the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said, adding that government authorities had also hampered UN flights carrying supplies for peacekeepers and clinics, and prevented some peacekeeper patrolsRebels had looted warehouses, commandeered aid agency vehicles and ransacked property in both Bentiu and the town of Bor, the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said, adding that government authorities had also hampered UN flights carrying supplies for peacekeepers and clinics, and prevented some peacekeeper patrols
Hilde Johnson, the Norwegian mission chief, said in a statement: "These are clear violations of the agreement that regulates the United Nations' presence in South Sudan and is preventing UNMISS from implementing its mandate."Hilde Johnson, the Norwegian mission chief, said in a statement: "These are clear violations of the agreement that regulates the United Nations' presence in South Sudan and is preventing UNMISS from implementing its mandate."
The violence, which has erupted along ethnic lines, is the worst in South Sudan since it won independence from Sudan in 2011. The unrest threatens to destabilise much of the fragile east African region.The violence, which has erupted along ethnic lines, is the worst in South Sudan since it won independence from Sudan in 2011. The unrest threatens to destabilise much of the fragile east African region.
Kiir's SPLA government forces have also been fighting to regain control of Bor, capital of the restive Jonglei state, as the two camps haggle over the terms of a ceasefire in Ethiopia. They were expected to submit their recommendations for a ceasefire proposal drafted by mediators on Friday.Kiir's SPLA government forces have also been fighting to regain control of Bor, capital of the restive Jonglei state, as the two camps haggle over the terms of a ceasefire in Ethiopia. They were expected to submit their recommendations for a ceasefire proposal drafted by mediators on Friday.
Washington cranked up the pressure for a deal on Thursday, saying that South Sudan risked losing hundreds of millions of dollars in US aid if the two sides did not end the violence in the fledgling democracy, which was formed with strong US support. Washington cranked up the pressure for a deal on Thursday, saying that South Sudan risked losing hundreds of millions of dollars in US aid if the two sides did not end the violence in the fledgling democracy, which was formed with strong American support.
Banks, markets and bars were open as normal in the capital, Juba, on Friday but food prices have jumped, petrol pumps are running dry and the South Sudanese pound is weakening on the black market.Banks, markets and bars were open as normal in the capital, Juba, on Friday but food prices have jumped, petrol pumps are running dry and the South Sudanese pound is weakening on the black market.
Hussein Mar Nyot, spokesman for Machar's delegation in Ethiopia, said that the latest strikes by Ugandan warplanes occurred on 8-9 January. Hussein Mar Nyot, spokesman for Machar's delegation in Ethiopia, said the latest strikes by Ugandan warplanes occurred on 8-9 January.
While Uganda has denied any air strikes, two Ugandan military sources with knowledge of the operations said they were aware of airborne attacks, adding that 1,500-1,800 Ugandan troops were inside South Sudan. While Uganda has denied mounting air strikes, two Ugandan military sources with knowledge of the operations said they were aware of airborne attacks, adding that 1,500-1,800 Ugandan troops were inside South Sudan.
"In Bor, our boys have been backing up the SPLA in the latest push to retake it," one Ugandan officer told Reuters. "Yesterday [Thursday] our MiGs [warplanes] conducted two bombings there.""In Bor, our boys have been backing up the SPLA in the latest push to retake it," one Ugandan officer told Reuters. "Yesterday [Thursday] our MiGs [warplanes] conducted two bombings there."
The Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, who has said east African nations would have to defeat Machar if he rejected a ceasefire, has been criticised at home for deploying troops across the border without seeking parliamentary approval.The Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, who has said east African nations would have to defeat Machar if he rejected a ceasefire, has been criticised at home for deploying troops across the border without seeking parliamentary approval.
The assembly's speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, said she had received a letter from Museveni on Thursday asking parliament to hold an emergency session for a retrospective vote. The sitting will take place on 14 January, she said. The assembly's speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, said she had received a letter from Museveni on Thursday asking parliament to hold an emergency session for a retrospective vote. The sitting will take place on 14 January, she added.
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