United Nations peacekeepers in the South Sudanese town Yambio have turned away hundreds of civilians seeking refuge at their fortified base, saying it is not their responsibility.

Shooting broke out in Yambio town over the weekend leaving at least four dead and others wounded. The violence has been blamed on conflict between government army units from Dinka and local Western Equatorian groups.

According to a press statement from Boutros Magaya, spokesperson and rapporteur for the ruling party's Western Equatorial Leadership Council, many civilians sought safety at the UNMISS base, which is guarded by peacekeepers mandated to protect civilians from violence.

"It is reported that the police of UNMISS refused to allow them into their compound as they claimed protection of civilians remain the responsibility of the government, unless failed according to the new UNMISS mandate," Magaya said.

The SPLM official said thousands of civilians gathered by UNMISS. He said some of them found shelter in compounds of humanitarian groups in the area.

A humanitarian source with knowledge of the incident confirmed UNMISS would not let the fleeing civilians enter its base, but put the number of people trying to gain entry at 400. The humanitarian added that some of the civilians reportedly sought refuge in the county commissioner's compound.

"On Saturday 400 people fled to the UNMISS base in Yambio seeking protection following 4 killings in the last 72 hours," the humanitarian said.

"UNMISS have not allowed them inside, stating that they are not at 'imminent threat' although the basis for this assessment is not clear," the humanitarian continued. "They are still gathered outside the base. Obviously this is despite the UN's protection of civilians mandate."

When reached for comment, UNMISS spokesperson Ariane Quentier said: "There are conditions as per the mandate: if national authorities can't act and civilians are under immediate physical threats to their lives."

"We did engage with the authorities over the week-end, reminded them that in a sovereign country it is their primary responsibility to take care of the population and ensure safety, law and order," Quentier added.

The UNMISS spokesperson said the mission's Rwandan Battalion has conducted patrols in Yambio. She did not respond to queries about how many patrols have taken place or if these patrols were in day, night, or both. She also did not say how many civilians are currently gathered outside the base.

Fighting in various parts of Western Equatoria between local groups and government forces has left numerous people dead in recent months.

Currently over 165,000 civilians are sheltering in the handful of peacekeeping bases in South Sudan where the mission maintains a presence, out of the more than 1.6 million people displaced throughout the country.

Related:

High level delegation in Yambio seeks to calm violence (3 Aug.)

Four dead in Yambio violence (2 Aug.)

UNMISS turned away civilians in Renk seeking protection from fighting (4 Dec.)