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| South Sudan conflict: Bentiu 'ethnic slaughter' condemned | South Sudan conflict: Bentiu 'ethnic slaughter' condemned |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of people were killed because of their ethnic group after South Sudan rebels seized the oil hub of Bentiu last week, the UN has said. | Hundreds of people were killed because of their ethnic group after South Sudan rebels seized the oil hub of Bentiu last week, the UN has said. |
| They were targeted at a mosque, a church and a hospital, the UN Mission in South Sudan said in a statement. | They were targeted at a mosque, a church and a hospital, the UN Mission in South Sudan said in a statement. |
| It added that hate speech was broadcast on local radio stations, saying certain groups should leave the town and urging men to rape women. | It added that hate speech was broadcast on local radio stations, saying certain groups should leave the town and urging men to rape women. |
| The Nuer community are seen as supporters of rebel leader Riek Machar. | The Nuer community are seen as supporters of rebel leader Riek Machar. |
| President Salva Kiir is a member of the country's largest group, the Dinka. | President Salva Kiir is a member of the country's largest group, the Dinka. |
| Although both men have prominent supporters from various communities, there have been numerous reports of rebels killing ethnic Dinkas and the army targeting Nuers since the conflict broke out in December 2013. | |
| A ceasefire was signed in January but there has been a recent upsurge in fighting. | |
| Last week, the UN said an attack on one of its bases in the central town of Bor in which at least 58 people were killed could constitute a war crime. | |
| Non-Nuers and foreign nationals were singled out and killed in Bentiu, Unmiss said. | Non-Nuers and foreign nationals were singled out and killed in Bentiu, Unmiss said. |
| Some 200 people were reportedly killed at the Kali-Ballee mosque where they had sought shelter. | |
| Nuer men, women and children who hid rather than cheer the rebel forces as they entered the town were also killed, it said. | |
| Fighting broke out last year after Mr Kiir accused Mr Machar of plotting to stage a coup. | |
| Mr Machar, who was sacked as vice-president last year, denied the charges but launched a rebellion. | |
| The UN has about 8,500 peacekeepers in South Sudan, which became the world newest state after seceding from Sudan in 2011. |