South Sudan conflict: UN says children targeted

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Children in South Sudan as young as seven have been killed, abducted and raped in recent violence, the United Nations' children's charity says.

Survivors believed the attacks in Unity State were carried out by groups linked to South Sudan's military, Unicef said.

Fighting between government and rebel forces has escalated in recent weeks, displacing more than 100,000 people.

The Red Cross has warned of a looming food crisis as thousands flee fighting around the rebel stronghold of Leer.

"Survivors reported to Unicef staff that whole villages were burned to the ground by armed groups, while large numbers of girls and women were taken outside to be raped and killed including children as young as seven," the charity said in a statement.

"At least 19 boys - some as young as 10 years of age - and seven girls were killed. Others were mutilated or recruited to join the fighting and take care of stolen cattle."

The South Sudan government has so far not commented on the report.

Planting season

Government forces recently launched an offensive against rebel forces in Unity state and fierce fighting has also taken place in Upper Nile state.

On Monday, the Red Cross warned that the displacement of civilians in Leer was happening just as the country's crucial planting period was under way.

"The upheaval will no doubt negatively impact residents' ability to plant food that would be used to feed their families next harvest season," it said.

The Red Cross called on both sides not to target civilians "and let those trying to escape hostilities travel unimpeded".

South Sudan is the world's newest state, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

However, conflict broke out in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his sacked deputy, Riek Machar, of plotting a coup.

Mr Machar denied the allegation, but then formed a rebel army to fight government troops.

Leer, where government forces are advancing, is the birthplace of Mr Machar.

International mediation efforts to end the conflict have failed.