S. Sudan Clashes Force More Refugees into U.N. Bases

Government and opposition rebels are still fighting for control of key parts of South Sudan and numbers seeking refuge in U.N. bases are rising, the United Nations said Tuesday.

The U.N. Mission in South Sudan has reported "deteriorating security" in parts of Unity state where there are important oil facilities, deputy U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.

Haq said "sporadic" clashes are still being reported between the forces of President Salva Kiir and former vice-president Riek Machar, though it is at a lower level than before a ceasefire which started on Friday.

"The mission has received reports about the deteriorating security situation in Koch and Leer counties in Unity state," said Haq.

An UNMISS patrol went to the town of Mayom, near the Unity state capital of Bentiu, and "observed that many parts of the town were burnt," said the spokesman.

Haq said the number of people sheltering in eight U.N. compounds across the country has risen to 79,000 from 76,000 on Tuesday.

Half of that number are in two U.N. compounds in the capital Juba. Aid groups say up to 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict between Kiir and Machar which erupted on December 15.