Officials in South Sudan’s Unity state said clashes between oil workers from rival clans at the Unity and Tharjath oil fields on Thursday have left 16 dead, while over 200 people from the Dinka tribe are currently seeking refuge in the UN compound in Bentiu town.
Acting state governor Mabeak Lang De Mading said the incident took place at about 2am (local time) when oil company employees from the Nuer tribe coordinated twin attacks on both oil fields, targeting Dinka employees in the area.
Thargath is the major oil facility in Unity State and about 1 hour away from former VP Riak Machar's home village.