JUBA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 169 people were killed on Sunday after dozens of armed men launched an attack in northern South Sudan, local media reported Monday.
A group of unidentified people attacked Abiemnom County in the Ruweng Administrative Area, local media reported, citing James Monyluak Mijok, information minister of the Ruweng Administrative Area.
The report said that dozens of civilians and several local leaders were among those killed in the violence.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Sunday expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Abiemnom, calling for the urgent restoration of calm.
Anita Kiki Gbeho, officer in charge of UNMISS, said in a statement released on Sunday that unidentified armed youth carried out the early morning assault, placing civilians at grave risk.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, UN peacekeepers are temporarily sheltering more than 1,000 civilians within the UNMISS base in the area and providing emergency medical care to the injured, she said.
"Such violence places civilians at grave risk and must stop immediately," Gbeho said, adding that the UN mission has enhanced its protective posture and is working with the government to support urgent efforts to restore calm and safeguard affected communities.
