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| Attackers Said to Single Out South Sudanese by Background | Attackers Said to Single Out South Sudanese by Background |
| (4 months later) | |
| NAIROBI, Kenya — Hundreds of civilians were killed when South Sudanese rebels took control of a strategic oil-producing town last week, the United Nations confirmed on Monday. | |
| The United Nations Mission in South Sudan issued a statement that said rebel forces entered the town of Bentiu in Unity State and separated groups of residents — who had sought refuge in churches, mosques and hospitals — by their ethnicity and nationality. | The United Nations Mission in South Sudan issued a statement that said rebel forces entered the town of Bentiu in Unity State and separated groups of residents — who had sought refuge in churches, mosques and hospitals — by their ethnicity and nationality. |
| Members of the ethnic Nuer group who did not support the rebels, along with South Sudanese people from other ethnic groups and Darfuris from Sudan, were targeted and killed, the statement said. | Members of the ethnic Nuer group who did not support the rebels, along with South Sudanese people from other ethnic groups and Darfuris from Sudan, were targeted and killed, the statement said. |
| The United Nations “strongly condemns the targeted killings of civilians based on their ethnic origins and nationality in Bentiu,” the statement went on to say. | The United Nations “strongly condemns the targeted killings of civilians based on their ethnic origins and nationality in Bentiu,” the statement went on to say. |
| At the Kali-Ballee Mosque, “more than 200 civilians were reportedly killed and over 400 wounded,” the statement said. Some rebels used FM radio to broadcast ethnic-based “hate speech” and encouraged “men from one community to commit vengeful sexual violence against women from another community,” the statement said. | At the Kali-Ballee Mosque, “more than 200 civilians were reportedly killed and over 400 wounded,” the statement said. Some rebels used FM radio to broadcast ethnic-based “hate speech” and encouraged “men from one community to commit vengeful sexual violence against women from another community,” the statement said. |
| The United Nations said that it would investigate human rights abuses committed in Bentiu and elsewhere since the beginning of the conflict in South Sudan. | The United Nations said that it would investigate human rights abuses committed in Bentiu and elsewhere since the beginning of the conflict in South Sudan. |
| “These atrocities must be fully investigated, and the perpetrators and their commanders shall be held accountable,” said Raisedon Zenenga, from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. | “These atrocities must be fully investigated, and the perpetrators and their commanders shall be held accountable,” said Raisedon Zenenga, from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. |
| Last week, armed youths attacked a United Nations base in the town of Bor, which led to the death of dozens. | Last week, armed youths attacked a United Nations base in the town of Bor, which led to the death of dozens. |
| Violence in South Sudan began last December when clashes erupted between soldiers loyal to the president, Salva Kiir, and the former vice president, Riek Machar. | Violence in South Sudan began last December when clashes erupted between soldiers loyal to the president, Salva Kiir, and the former vice president, Riek Machar. |
| Mr. Kiir accused Mr. Machar of leading a coup against him, a charge Mr. Machar denied. After the fighting intensified, Mr. Machar fled the capital and began leading a rebellion against Mr. Kiir, calling on him to resign. | Mr. Kiir accused Mr. Machar of leading a coup against him, a charge Mr. Machar denied. After the fighting intensified, Mr. Machar fled the capital and began leading a rebellion against Mr. Kiir, calling on him to resign. |
| The conflict soon took on an ethnic dimension between South Sudan’s two largest groups, the Dinka and Nuer. Mr. Kiir is a Dinka, while Mr. Machar is a Nuer. | The conflict soon took on an ethnic dimension between South Sudan’s two largest groups, the Dinka and Nuer. Mr. Kiir is a Dinka, while Mr. Machar is a Nuer. |
| As a result, thousands are believed to have been killed and close to one million have been displaced. Attempts to negotiate a peace agreement between both sides have thus far been slow. United Nations officials warn of a possible famine in the coming months if action is not taken. | As a result, thousands are believed to have been killed and close to one million have been displaced. Attempts to negotiate a peace agreement between both sides have thus far been slow. United Nations officials warn of a possible famine in the coming months if action is not taken. |