South Sudan attacks 'leave 600 dead' Published duration 23 August 2011

image caption Some officials say the violence began over cattle raids

At least 600 people have been killed in ethnic clashes in South Sudan's eastern state of Jonglei, the UN says.

Up to 985 people have been wounded in the unrest, the UN estimates. "This cycle of violence must stop," said UN special representative Hilde Johnson.

The clashes took place on Thursday when members of the Murle group are said to have attacked the majority Lou Nuer, stealing nearly 40,000 cattle.

Jonglei is one of the newly-independent country's least safe areas.

The fighting took place, according to several sources including the state governor, when young Murle men attacked several locations inhabited by the Lou Nuer in and around the town of Pieri. Much of the town has apparently been burnt down.

The Murle were apparently seeking revenge for a recent attack by the Lou Nuer.

Security challenges

The state's minister for law enforcement, Gabriel Duot Lam, also said an estimated 38,000 cows had been stolen by the Murle.

State governor Kuol Manyang told the BBC the attack was a cattle raid, and a consequence of poverty and competition over resources.

"People need cattle for their own survival, for food security and for marriages - and there is competition over land and water resources, because of underdevelopment," said Mr Manyang.

The BBC's James Copnall, in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, says cattle rustling frequently leads to bloody clashes in the state and elsewhere in South Sudan.

The attack is the latest in a string of deadly incidents between the Murle and the Lou Nuer. Hundreds of people die in inter-ethnic clashes in Jonglei each year.

The Murle are often accused of stealing children, allegedly because they do not have many of their own.

South Sudan has been independent for just over a month, and faces serious security challenges, particularly in Jonglei.

Many civilians are armed and the poor roads make it difficult for the security forces to move around the state.