File photo shows UN staff members register refugees at the Protection of Civilians site 1 of the United Nations Mission In South Sudan in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Aug. 13, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)
The UN peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan said at least 658 civilians were killed in the east African country between January and March, with inter-communal violence constituting the majority of violence affecting civilians.
JUBA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The UN peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said Tuesday at least 658 civilians were killed in the east African country between January and March.
The UNMISS human rights division in a report released in Juba documented more than 275 incidents of violence against civilians, in which 1,767 civilians were subjected to four major forms of harm.
The UNMISS investigation revealed the death of 658 civilians, 452 injuries, 592 abductions and 65 cases of sexual violence across the conflict-torn country.
Internally displaced people display food stuffs for sale at Mangaten camp in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Sept. 14, 2018. (Xinhua/Denis Elamu)
UNMISS said the new data corresponds to a 94 percent increase in violence against civilians compared to the same period last year.
The report said that inter-communal violence constituted the majority of violence affecting civilians.
"This is a direct result of the evolving nature of inter-communal conflict, which is often carried out with military-style tactics and military-grade weapons," UNMISS said.
"During the reporting period, for instance, at least four separate attacks each claimed the lives of more than 50 civilians. Intercommunal violence varies significantly in scale and intensity," it added. ■
