Accessibility links

Breaking News

Fighting in Bentiu Leaves Control of S. Sudan Oil Town Unclear


Bor, South Sudan
Bor, South Sudan

South Sudan says the oil town of Bentiu remains under government control, but a main opposition group in the country says that is not true. The rebel group says it seized control of the town after three days of heavy fighting.

A spokesman for the Sudan People's Liberation Army and one for the rebel People's Liberation Army in Opposition each claimed Wednesday his group has control of the Unity state capital.

SPLA-IO spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said the rebels took control of the town Wednesday afternoon, but SPLA-Juba spokesman Colonel Philip Aguer said, “That is a lie.”

Aguer said SPLA-Juba managed to defeat the rebels Wednesday about 4 p.m. after four hours of fierce fighting.

Thousands of people have been killed, and more than a million have fled their homes since fighting erupted in December.

According to analysts, the violence was triggered by a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar.

The conflict has disrupted oil production, which provides a big portion of the government's revenue.

Diplomats and analysts say there could be a surge in fighting as the dry season approaches, after a lull during the rainy season.

  • 16x9 Image

    VOA News

    The Voice of America provides news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of over 326 million people. Stories with the VOA News byline are the work of multiple VOA journalists and may contain information from wire service reports.

XS
SM
MD
LG