May 18, 2015 (JUBA) - Dozens of children have been been abducted, raped and killed while others were recruited in a series of attacks in South Sudan’s Unity state over the last two weeks, various eyewitness told the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

UNICEF has previously accused government forces in South Sudan of looting backpacks intended for school children (Photo: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

Several accounts from people who fled fighting in Unity state said armed groups aligned with Sudan Sudanese army (SPLA) carried out these attacks.

According to UNICEF, survivors narrated to their staff how the entire villages were burned to the ground by armed groups, while large numbers of girls and women were allegedly taken outside to be raped and killed, including children as young as seven.

At least 19 boys, some as young as 10 years, and seven girls were reportedly killed as others were mutilated or recruited to join the fighting and take care of stolen cattle.

UNICEF Representative in South Sudan, Jonathan Veitch said that multiple witness reports are building a chilling picture of the ordeal children are suffering as fighting intensifies ahead of the rainy season.

“The deliberate targeting of children in these attacks is an outrage,” said Jonathan Veitch, the UNICEF representative in South Sudan.

“If children are to be protected from further harm, an immediate cessation of hostilities is urgently needed, together with full access for humanitarian workers," he added.

Veitch further demanded that an urgent and thorough investigation be conducted to identify and hold accountable those responsible for these atrocities against children

"The Government of South Sudan and forces opposed to Government should use all influence to protect children, to immediately stop grave violations against children, including sexual violence, and to release all children from armed forces and associated groups," stressed the UN agency in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

An estimated 13,000 children have been recruited and are being used by all sides of the conflict, data verified by the UN reportedly shows.

The majority of those who survived the recent attacks in South Sudan are women and small children. UNICEF and partners are providing psychosocial support to survivors and registering separated and unaccompanied children for family reunification.

In recent week, fighting has been escalating in Unity and Upper Nile states with violations against children occurring with frightening regularity, UNICEF said.

The agency says unconditional access for the UN is now critical to areas in Unity and Upper Nile states affected by recent violence so as to provide support and protection to women and children and to all civilians who may be injured, trapped or in hiding.

(ST)

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