South Sudan risks return to full-blown civil war as violence escalates

"Violent confrontations in the world's youngest country between the military, which is loyal to President Salva Kiir, and insurgents believed to be allied to the suspended vice-president, Riek Machar, have increased in recent weeks. On Sunday, at least 169 people were killed after armed youth from Mayom county in the north raided a village in neighbouring Abiemnom county near the Sudan border."

"The victims included including women, children and members of government security forces, said James Monyluak Majok, the information minister for the administrative area of Ruweng, where Abiemnom is located. The UN mission in South Sudan said it was sheltering more than 1,000 civilians in its base in the area and providing medical care to those injured."

"Stephano Wieu de Mialek, the chief administrator of Ruweng, said the assault was carried out by people linked to the White Army, a militia that was allied to Machar during the civil war, alongside forces affiliated with Machar's political party and rebel group, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO)."

South Sudan experiences intensifying violence between President Salva Kiir's military and opposition forces allied with suspended vice-president Riek Machar. A recent raid in Abiemnom county killed at least 169 people, including civilians and security personnel. The UN mission sheltered over 1,000 civilians and treated 23 wounded. Authorities linked the attack to the White Army militia and Machar's SPLM-IO faction, though the group denied involvement. Jonglei state has witnessed severe fighting since December. Doctors Without Borders reported 26 staff members missing after violence, with their hospital in Lankien damaged in airstrikes.

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