Three internally displaced persons have been killed and over 20 others injured during at a fighting at the protection of civilians (POC) site in Malakal town, the United Mission in South Sudan has reported.
In a a statement seen by The Radio Community (TRC), the clashes were triggered by a stabbing incident during the morning hours of Thursday.
“UNMISS regrets the loss of lives and injuries to civilians, and calls for an immediate halt to the fighting, so that the United Nations can continue to protect vulnerable families and de-escalate tensions,” partly reads a statement extended to TRC.
The UNMISS did not provide more details of the fighting, including those of the victims. However, it said it deployed forces to prevent further clashes.
“The Mission has deployed reinforced military and police personnel in the area, in close collaboration with State authorities and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), to conduct confidence-building patrols within the Malakal PoC site and along the perimeter,” the statement continues.
“UNMISS is also engaging with leaders of the various communities in the PoC site, as well as the state government, to restore calm and order.”
It urged the communities at the POC” to “immediately cease any violence and use dialogue to address any grievances”.
As of February 2023, the number of people seeking shelter and protection at the Malakal PoC stood at over 41000.
The site was established in December 2013 with 34,396 people seeking protection from armed conflict then.