S. Sudan: Over 60 civilians injured in fighting near UN base
October 28, 2014 (JUBA) – More than 60 civilians were injured after fighting broke out over the weekend at a protection of civilians site next to the United Nations House in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, a spokesperson for the world body said in a statement.
Tear gas and warning shots were reportedly fired to halt the clashes.
“By late afternoon yesterday [Monday], however, the situation was brought under control,” said Dujarric.
The mission, he added, was investigating the cause of the incident and two suspects have been arrested and detained by UN Police on suspicion of allegedly instigating the violence.
Currently, about 11,000 civilians are reportedly protected by UNMISS at its Malakal site while more than 100,000 civilians are being housed at sites all over the country.
SIMILAR CLASHES IN MALAKAL
Similar fighting, UNMISS said, erupted among internally displaced people at its site outside Malakal, the Upper Nile state capital on Monday, leaving one person dead and four others injured.
The incident reportedly had ethnic overtones as youth from mostly the Nuer and Shilluk ethnic backgrounds attacked each other.
UN peacekeepers and its police fired tear gas and warning shots to defuse the situation. Four peacekeepers reportedly suffered minor injuries.
“By late yesterday [Monday] afternoon, the situation was brought under control, but remains tense,” the mission said.
Meanwhile the UN mission says it needs $637 million to maintain humanitarian aid operations in South Sudan till end of year. So far, 61% of the $1.8 billion requested has been received.
Aid agencies in South Sudan have reached 3.5 million of the 3.8 million people targeted with some form of aid this year, according to the UN.
(ST)