South Sudan: Clashes erupted in Upper Nile state between army and George Athor rebel fighters
Rebel fighters have attacked the capital of South Sudan’s Upper Nile state, the southern army has said.
The number of casualties is not known, but the attack on Saturday in Malakal, one of the south’s three main
settlements, marked an escalation in a wave of clashes between the south’s army and rebel fighters.
The fighting has raised fears over the stability of the region in the countdown to its secession - due on July 9.
“There is fighting going on in Malakal. Militia have penetrated the town. They raided at night,” Philip Aguer, the southern army spokesman told the Reuters news agency.
Aid workers in Malakal told Reuters they were woken at about 4am (0100 GMT) by the sound of gunfire and shelling.