Heavy artillery fire was heard in the south of Wau town in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state on Thursday morning forcing hundreds of civilians to flee for their lives, sources told Radio Tamazuj.
The UN Mission in South Sudan reported that heavy mortar shelling could be heard from the south of its base between approximately 8:30 am and 9:00 am. Sporadic gunfire continued for about an hour after that, UNMISS said.
Some 200-250 civilians arrived at the IDP camp adjacent to the UNMISS base in Wau escaping the shelling, joining thousands of others already seeking protection from violence which has rocked the town in recent weeks, UNMISS said. The group added that the mission is continuing with its daily patrols.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from the renewed clashes.
Dozens are said to have been killed in Wau during clashes last month with reports of sexual violence and civilians being targeted.
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