Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2014 22:34:24 +0100
South Sudan: Heavy Fighting Erupts in Juba Military Barracks - Witnesses
5 March 2014
Juba - Heavy fighting erupted Wednesday morning in the South Sudanese
capital as sounds of machine guns and heavy artillery sent Juba residents
into panic as many fled work places.
The fighting started at about 9am at a military barrack, locally known as
Geida, where violence began on 15 December 2013 between soldiers loyal to
president Salva Kiir and those supporting his ex-vice president, Riek Machar
Thick smoke could be seen bellowing over the barracks located south-east of
Juba as uncontrolled gunfire continued in the military facility for most of
the early hours.
Military sources told Sudan Tribune that the clashes involved the
presidential guards, known as the Tiger and Commando units at the barracks.
The clashes are the heaviest since mid-December violence, eyewitnesses say.
The cause of the fighting was not known, but sources say there was an
attempt to arrest the commander of the Commando Unit, Brig. Gatwech Gai,
which might have resulted in to resistance from his forces.
The fighting was still going on at 10am with sounds of Rocket Propelled
Grenades (RPGs) and heavy artilleries shaking the city.
An eyewitness said he saw dozens of injured soldiers being rushed to Juba
teaching hospital. Several others, unconfirmed reports say, have also been
killed in the clashes
"The military are now patrolling the city and have set up road blocks on
major highways," said the eye witness, citing roads leading to the airport
and the military headquarters.
Currently, Juba resident are reportedly experiencing a temporary
interference with most phone networks.
Sudan Tribune will bring more details about the incident... .
http://allafrica.com/download/pic/main/main/csiid/00261189:660ef689be99f5f18
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Photo: <http://www.irinnews.org> Andrew Green/IRIN
Deserted road in Juba.
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