Thousands seek refuge from South Sudan violence, U.N. says
December 17, 2013 -- Updated 1945 GMT (0345 HKT)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: Hundreds in urgent need of medical care, ICRC says
- NEW: State Department says U.S. Embassy suspending normal operations until further notice
- About 10,000 civilians have fled to United Nations bases in the city
- Sporadic gunfire still ratting Juba, diplomats say
(CNN) -- Thousands of people have sought refuge at United Nations compounds in Juba, as gunfire rang out again Tuesday just hours after South Sudan's President said his forces had halted a coup attempt in Africa's newest nation.
Clashes, which began on Sunday evening, have left hundreds in urgent need of medical care, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.
On Tuesday, sporadic gunshots were heard in the area of Tonping, the U.S. Embassy said on its Twitter feed, quoting U.N. radio.
It recommended that U.S. citizens currently in the country depart immediately.
Women and children carrying bags, kettles, pots and basic belongings arriving at a U.N compound to seek shelter could be seen in pictures posted on the U.N. mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Facebook page.
"As of early Tuesday morning, an estimated 10,000 civilians have received protection in the two UNMISS compounds in Juba," UNMISS said in a prepared statement.
Toby Lanzer, a senior U.N. official in Juba, tweeted that 16,000 people had gathered at the bases as the day wound down.
In a televised address Monday, South Sudan President Salva Kiir blamed soldiers loyal to his sacked deputy Riek Machar for starting the fighting Sunday evening.
Dressed in fatigues, he said the government was in full control of the capital and announced a nighttime curfew.
Ten people were arrested in connection with the foiled coup, according to a statement posted Tuesday on the South Sudan government website.
Hundreds in need of medical care
The ICRC said it was providing Juba's two major hospitals with support, such as wound-dressing materials, to cope with the heavy influx of patients.
More than 300 people have been admitted to Juba Teaching Hospital and Juba Military Hospital over the past two days, it said.
"We know there are more people who need care, but they are having difficulty reaching healthcare facilities because of the security situation and the lack of available transportation," Felicity Gapes, an ICRC delegate leading the medical response on the ground, said in a statement.
"Staff in both hospitals have been working around the clock, but they are struggling because of the sheer volume of patients and the severity of the injuries."
The United Nations said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke with Kiir by phone Tuesday, expressing his concern about the fighting.
He urged "all parties to cease hostilities immediately, and called on the government to exercise restraint in the management of the situation and to guarantee the protection of all civilians regardless of their ethnicities."
Deep-running tensions
Tensions have been high in South Sudan since Kiir dismissed his entire Cabinet, including his deputy Machar, in July.
The move further inflamed deep-running tensions between Kiir's Dinka community and Machar's Nuer community.
South Sudan formally split from Sudan in 2011 following a referendum, after decades of conflict. Numerous armed groups remain active in the oil-rich country.
The UNMISS statement said Hilde F. Johnson, special representative of the U.N. secretary-general, called on "all parties in the current situation to refrain from any community-motivated violence."
"At a time when unity among South Sudanese is more needed than ever, I call on the leaders of this new country and all political factions and parties, as well as community leaders to refrain from any action that fuels ethnic tensions and exacerbates violence," Johnson said.
Juba's international airport remained closed. And with phone networks sketchy, embassies were turning to social media to stay in touch with their citizens, mainly calling on them to stay home and avoid unnecessary movement.
The State Department said U.S. citizens currently in South Sudan should leave immediately, and it ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from the country.
"The Embassy is also suspending normal operations until further notice and cannot provide routine consular services to U.S. citizens in South Sudan," it said.
The African Union said it was "deeply concerned" about the events in South Sudan, urging the government, leadership and other stakeholders to exercise maximum restraint and avert any further escalation.
CNN's Jamie Crawford, Sara Mazloumsaki and Nana Karikari-Apau contributed to this report.
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