The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported heavy shooting Wednesday at the Pibor airstrip, but it was unclear who was involved in the fighting, a UN spokesperson said Thursday.

Spokesperson for UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon Stephane Dujarric said in a press statement that some 260 civilians fled to the UNMISS compound in Pibor for protection, but left a few hours later when the fighting died down.

Dujarric did not say whether the civilians were allowed into the UNMISS base for protection during the incident. Most shops in the market were closed later in the day and few civilians were in the town, Dujarric said.

On Monday, Dujarric reported shooting between the Lango and Bototh ethnic groups in Pibor. The SPLA as well as the SSDM/A-Cobra Faction led by David Yau Yau both maintain military presence in Pibor.

SPLA Commander in Chief Salva Kiir recently removed Yau Yau from his post as the chief administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, a move which has raised tensions between the two armies in Pibor.

Related:

UN: Shooting in Pibor Monday (6 Jan.)

Yau Yau in Juba for talks with Kiir: 'There is no problem' (3 Jan.)

Yau Yau says his removal against peace deal, Kiir did not consult him (2 Jan.)

File photo: Displaced people in Pibor, Jonglei State, January 2012 (OCHA/Cecilia Attefors)