Foreign Office Advises British Nationals To leave South Sudan Amid Deadly Clashes

A second flight will be sent to evacuate Britons fleeing fighting in South Sudan, after three United Nations peacekeepers were killed amid escalating violence.

The three Indian soldiers were killed when armed youths breached a UN compound in the country's Jonglei state.
The government says it has lost control of the region's capital, Bor, and fighting continues to spread through the newly-formed East African state following a reported coup attempt in national capital Juba on Sunday.

President Salva Kiir, above, blamed the coup on his ousted vice president

An estimated 20,000 people have sought refuge at two UN compounds in Juba, and another 14,000 in Bor.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has strongly advised all remaining British nationals to leave the country as fears grow that it may prove difficult to get out if the situation continues to deteriorate.
One group of British nationals has already left on a Foreign Office flight and a second is due to leave from the city.


An FCO spokesman said: "The UK plans to send a second flight to South Sudan to evacuate British nationals who wish to leave from Juba airport on Friday December 20, following the evacuation of some British nationals on December 19.
"We strongly advise all British nationals in South Sudan to leave the country if they can do so safely. You may have difficulty leaving in the event of a further deterioration in security."
US President Barack Obama has deployed 45 military personnel to help bolster security at the US Embassy.

A young boy waits for supplies of water at the Juba compound

Non-emergency government personnel were ordered to leave earlier this week and a fifth evacuation flight is due to arrive.
In a written statement, Mr Obama said: "South Sudan stands at the precipice. Recent fighting threatens to plunge South Sudan back into the dark days of its past."
The United Nations has estimated that up to 500 people have been killed in fighting between rival factions following the coup attempt against the president by soldiers loyal to his former deputy, Riek Machar.

An estimated 34,000 people have been displaced by the violence

South Sudan's numerous ethnic groups have battled each other for decades.
On Sunday, violence broke out when the presidential guard splintered along ethnic lines.
Guards from the president's majority Dinka tribe tried to disarm guards from the Nuer ethnic group, triggering violence in the capital which has extended out into the country.


Skynews