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UN sites directly caught in fighting in South Sudan: spokesperson

Xinhua, July 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

The UN human rights agency on Tuesday said that it is deeply worried at reports that UN compounds and "protection of civilians" sites have been directly caught in the fighting, and apparently at times directly targeted, in South Sudan.

A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights cited the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as saying that eight people were killed and 59 injured, in or around "protection of civilians" sites between Sunday and Monday.

"We are also deeply concerned at reports of civilians being prevented from seeking refuge in the premises of the UNMISS and, in some cases, being shot at while trying to do so," the spokesperson told a regular press briefing here.

The spokesperson added that the security and human rights situation in South Sudan is under rapid deterioration. Since Thursday last week, the capital Juba has experienced repeated clashes between soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir and those backing First Vice President Riek Machar.

A South Sudan government source said that so far at least 272 people have been killed, including 33 civilians, according to the UN agency.

"In spite of the call for calm by the two leaders in a joint press conference on Friday, and a brief lull on Saturday, heavy fighting resumed in Juba on Sunday and yesterday, with both sides blaming each other for the escalating violence," the spokesperson noted. Endit