Fighting has spread to Upper Nile State, one of South Sudan’s two oil rich regions.
There are reports right now that fighting has erupted approximately an hour south of Malakal near the end of the Jonglei canal.
Last night more than 20 people were killed in Nasir County during clashes between Jikany Nuer youth supportive of former VP Riak Machar and bodyguards of the County Commissioner, Dak Tap Choul.
Choul is also Jikany Nuer but supports President Salva Kiir’s government.
At least three of Choul’s bodyguards were killed.
The rest of the casualties were youth.
County Commissioner Choul is now taking refuge inside the UNMISS compound in Nasir.
In neighbouring Ulang County, SPLA forces fought along ethnic lines and it’s believed all Dinka soldiers were killed.