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Army defections as South Sudan violence spreads
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_SOUTH_SUDAN_VIOLENCE?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULTArmy defections as South Sudan violence spreads
By RODNEY MUHUMUZA
Associated Press
Dec 18, 7:25 AM EST
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) -- Clashes between military factions in South Sudan have spread from the capital to the rural state of Jonglei, a South Sudanese military official said Wednesday. Up to 500 people are reported to have been killed since Sunday in the world's newest country.
South Sudanese military spokesman Col. Philip Aguer told The Associated Press that there was fighting overnight among troops in Jonglei, the largest state in South Sudan, and he was trying to confirm reports there of desertions from the military.
United Nations diplomats said as many as 500 people have been killed in violence that is believed to be largely along ethnic lines. About 20,000 people have sought refuge at U.N. facilities in Juba, the capital, since fighting started on Sunday, and on Tuesday the United States ordered its citizens to leave South Sudan immediately.
Meanwhile, EgyptAir said it resumed its flights to Juba after a three-day suspension. Head of EgyptAir holding company Hossam Kamal said the flights were resumed after ensuring that conditions are stable in the Juba airport