South Sudan military admits loss of key oil town

South Sudanese army has confirmed losing control of a key oil-rich town in Unity State, a day after it was taken by rebels.

On Wednesday, the South Sudan’s military sources said rebels had recaptured Bentiu, which is the capital of the country’s second biggest oil-producing state.

Philip Aguer, an army spokesman, accused the rebels of “committing atrocities including the killing of civilians.”

The military official added that the troops were moving toward Bentiu in the Unity State to retake the town.

“We are moving forward to retake the town from the forces of Riek Machar, who entered the town on Tuesday after our forces withdrew,” media outlets quoted Aguer as saying.

The operation comes a day after rebels took over the town, threatening to target crucial oil fields there.

They also issued an ultimatum to oil companies to shut down production and evacuate all their staff within a week.

This is the second time rebels led by former vice president, Riek Machar, have taken control of the oil-rich state. Back in December, they seized Bentiu, but were chased out a month later.

The fighting between troops of South Sudan President Salva Kiir, who is from the Dinka ethnic group, and his former deputy, Machar, a Nuer, erupted around the capital, Juba, on December 15, 2013.

The latest fighting comes despite a ceasefire signed on January 23 to end weeks of heavy fighting which led to the death of thousands of people in the world’s youngest nation.

The international community has repeatedly urged both sides to respect the ceasefire.

The armed conflict has claimed thousands of lives and forced over a million to flee their homes over the past months.