ICRC alarmed by violence in South Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was appalled by "deliberate killings and sexual violence" at healthcare facilities in in South Sudan.

The U.N. Mission in South Sudan reported last week at least 10 people were killed at its hospital in Upper Nile state when fighting broke out between pro- and anti-government forces. UNMISS said in a statement the conflict "will only exacerbate an already dire situation" in South Sudan.

Melker Mabeck, head of the ICRC delegation in South Sudan, said he was alarmed by attacks on healthcare facilities in the country.

"We are shocked by the recent reports of violence targeting civilians and people who are no longer taking part in the fighting, of deliberate killings and sexual violence," he said in a statement Saturday.

Mabeck said all parties to the conflict are reminded of their obligation to ensure civilians and humanitarian workers are spared from violence.

Conflict erupted in December when South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, from the Dinka ethnic community, accused former Vice President Riek Machar, from the rival Nuer community, of trying to overthrow the government. Machar was sidelined when Kiir reshuffled his Cabinet in July.