South Sudan orders UN personnel, civilians to leave parts of Jonglei State

South Sudan's military has ordered all civilians and personnel from the UN mission and all other charities to evacuate three counties in Jonglei State ahead of an operation there against opposition forces.

Clashes that the United Nations says are occurring at a scale not seen since 2017 have been convulsing South Sudan, Africa's youngest country, for months.

Some of the fiercest fighting has taken place in Jonglei, located in the country's east on the border with Ethiopia, where the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) is seeking to halt an offensive by fighters loyal to the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).

An operation code-named "Operation Enduring Peace" was "imminent," the SSPDF said in a statement on Sunday.

The military said all civilians living in Nyirol, Uror, and Akobo counties in Jonglei were "directed to immediately evacuate for safety to government-controlled areas as soon as possible."

All personnel from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and those working for non-governmental organisations were also ordered to evacuate the three counties within 48 hours.

"Our peacekeepers in Akobo remain in place, carrying out all efforts under our mandate to help de-escalate tensions and prevent conflict," a UNMISS spokesperson told Reuters. She did not say whether UN staff also remained in the other counties.