South Sudan Army Clash With Rebels Leaves 23 People Dead

• South Sudan Army Clash With Rebels Leaves 23 People Dead

A clash between South Sudanese government forces and rebels clashed in the oil-rich northeastern state of Bieh left at least 23 people dead, army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said.

Two senior rebel officers were among the dead, Koang said by mobile-phone text message on Sunday.

The fighting took place two days after national prayers seeking to more than three years of conflict in the East African nation. The violence has claimed tens of thousands of lives, with both government forces and rebels accused of atrocities, according to the United Nations.