Juba, South Sudan: Forces loyal to South Sudan's government enacted a "scorched earth" policy that included rape, abuse and killings of civilians during more than two years of civil war, according to a United Nations report.

The UN Human Rights Office documented the "shocking" scale of sexual violence in the world's newest nation, with 1300 reports of rape recorded in one state alone in five months, it said Friday on its website. It cited "credible sources" as saying that militia and government forces were allowed to rape women instead of being paid wages. Many of the actions could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to the report.

South Sudan government soldiers in Koch, Unity state, in 2015. Credit:AP

While "all parties in the conflict" were behind violations, in 2015 "government forces and associated militia bore the greatest responsibility", the office said. The report recommends that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al-Hussein request the UN Security Council to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on South Sudan.

Malaak Ayuen Ajok​, a South Sudanese army spokesman, said the report was not "well-balanced" and looks like "a conspiracy against the government" and military. He said locations had changed hands with rebels during the fighting and that assigning blame for incidents was difficult. "We have always asked the UN to bring the complaints and we act on them, but they do not want" to do so, he said by phone from the capital, Juba.