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

South Sudan is reeling from an escalating conflict between the government-aligned army and opposition forces and allied groups, raising the risk of a return to full-blown civil war. Violent confrontations between the military loyal to President Salva Kiir and insurgents believed to be allied with suspended vice-president Riek Machar have increased in recent weeks.

On Sunday at least 169 people were killed after armed youth from Mayom county raided a village in neighbouring Abiemnom county near the Sudan border. The victims included women, children and members of government security forces, James Monyluak Majok, the information minister for Ruweng, said.

The UN mission in South Sudan said it was sheltering more than 1,000 civilians at its base and providing medical care to about 23 people wounded in the attack.

South Sudan, Mayom county, Abiemnom county, Ruweng

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