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South Sudan Captures Stronghold of Rebels South Sudan Captures Stronghold of Rebels
(4 months later)
BENTIU, South Sudan — Government troops in South Sudan launched a counteroffensive against rebel forces on Sunday to retake two important northern towns just days after South Sudan’s president told the United States that he would hold talks with his rebel opponent. BENTIU, South Sudan — Government troops in South Sudan launched a counteroffensive against rebel forces on Sunday to retake two important northern towns just days after South Sudan’s president told the United States that he would hold talks with his rebel opponent.
“Our forces recaptured the town of Nasir in the morning and the town of Bentiu in the afternoon,” said Col. Philip Aguer, a spokesman for the South Sudanese military. “The rebels are now fleeing toward the Ethiopian border and our troops are pursuing them.” He said he had received some reports of sporadic clashes outside the towns.“Our forces recaptured the town of Nasir in the morning and the town of Bentiu in the afternoon,” said Col. Philip Aguer, a spokesman for the South Sudanese military. “The rebels are now fleeing toward the Ethiopian border and our troops are pursuing them.” He said he had received some reports of sporadic clashes outside the towns.
Colonel Aguer said he did not have any details about casualties, but added that the government troops were intent on carrying out their mission to provide “protection for all civilians” in the area.Colonel Aguer said he did not have any details about casualties, but added that the government troops were intent on carrying out their mission to provide “protection for all civilians” in the area.
Nasir, which is in Upper Nile State about 19 miles from South Sudan’s border with Ethiopia, had been a stronghold for the rebel forces led by Riek Machar, the country’s former vice president.Nasir, which is in Upper Nile State about 19 miles from South Sudan’s border with Ethiopia, had been a stronghold for the rebel forces led by Riek Machar, the country’s former vice president.
In Bentiu, the capital of the oil-rich state of Unity, pickup trucks fitted with machine guns led the assault, followed by nearly 2,000 soldiers on foot, some armed with rocket-propelled grenades. As the government forces marched into town, one soldier waved the South Sudanese flag.In Bentiu, the capital of the oil-rich state of Unity, pickup trucks fitted with machine guns led the assault, followed by nearly 2,000 soldiers on foot, some armed with rocket-propelled grenades. As the government forces marched into town, one soldier waved the South Sudanese flag.
Later, after a brief rest, with some finding shade under a tree, a contingent of soldiers marched near a United Nations base that is providing shelter for 25,000 people displaced by the fighting, a development that made some inside the base uneasy.Later, after a brief rest, with some finding shade under a tree, a contingent of soldiers marched near a United Nations base that is providing shelter for 25,000 people displaced by the fighting, a development that made some inside the base uneasy.
“I don’t know why they stopped by the base,” said Col. Erdenebat Batsuuri, a Mongolian officer in charge of the peacekeeping battalion that is protecting the United Nations base. “The base could come under fire.”“I don’t know why they stopped by the base,” said Col. Erdenebat Batsuuri, a Mongolian officer in charge of the peacekeeping battalion that is protecting the United Nations base. “The base could come under fire.”
Hundreds of civilians were killed when rebels took control of Bentiu last month, the United Nations said. The United Nations issued a statement condemning the violence, describing it as an episode of “targeted killings of civilians based on their ethnic origins and nationality.” The United Nations also said that the 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.”Hundreds of civilians were killed when rebels took control of Bentiu last month, the United Nations said. The United Nations issued a statement condemning the violence, describing it as an episode of “targeted killings of civilians based on their ethnic origins and nationality.” The United Nations also said that the 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 fighting in South Sudan began last December when clashes erupted between soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir and others loyal to Mr. Machar.The fighting in South Sudan began last December when clashes erupted between soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir and others loyal to Mr. Machar.
Mr. Kiir accused Mr. Machar of leading a coup against him, a charge Mr. Machar denied. As the fighting intensified, Mr. Machar fled the capital, Juba, 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 the Nuer. Mr. Kiir is a Dinka, while Mr. Machar is a Nuer.Mr. Kiir accused Mr. Machar of leading a coup against him, a charge Mr. Machar denied. As the fighting intensified, Mr. Machar fled the capital, Juba, 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 the Nuer. Mr. Kiir is a Dinka, while Mr. Machar is a Nuer.
Thousands of people in the country are believed to have been killed in the fighting, and close to one million have been displaced from their homes. Attempts to negotiate a peace agreement have thus far been slow. United Nations officials warn of a possible famine in the coming months if action is not taken.Thousands of people in the country are believed to have been killed in the fighting, and close to one million have been displaced from their homes. Attempts to negotiate a peace agreement have thus far been slow. United Nations officials warn of a possible famine in the coming months if action is not taken.
After meeting with Mr. Kiir last week, Secretary of State John Kerry said that he had secured a commitment from him to open talks with Mr. Machar in Ethiopia. Mr. Kerry said that he had also talked with Mr. Machar and had urged him to take part in any negotiations.After meeting with Mr. Kiir last week, Secretary of State John Kerry said that he had secured a commitment from him to open talks with Mr. Machar in Ethiopia. Mr. Kerry said that he had also talked with Mr. Machar and had urged him to take part in any negotiations.