UN Base Sheltering Civilians Attacked in S. Sudan

Local Editor

Residents and aid sources claimed that the South Sudan government troops took part in a possible "war crime" attack killing at least 18 civilians inside a United Nations base.

At least 18 people were killed and over 70 wounded in the clashes in the UN camp between Wednesday and Thursday in the north-eastern town of Malakal, Doctors Without Borders [MSF] reported.

In addition, Residents informed that gunmen were shooting in crowded areas in the tightly packed camp of tents and basic shelters housing over 47,700 people fleeing a civil war that began in late 2013.

For its part, the UN Mission in South Sudan [UNMISS] blamed the clashes on rival tribes inside the camp, saying "at least seven" people were killed.

"Such an attack against civilians and UN premises may constitute a war crime," the mission added.

Relatively, one of the residents described government troops wearing the uniform of the Sudan People's Liberation Army "shooting at civilians" with fighting taking place in the camp, as well as gunfire coming from soldiers outside.

A [POC], or Protection of Civilian site, is referred to by the UN for places where South Sudan civilians are supposed to be safe, defended by peacekeepers.

Following the attack, an entire section of the camp was razed to the ground, with sporadic shooting still heard in Malakal on Friday morning.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team