Sudanese army clash with rebels kills 55

At least 55 fighters have been killed in clashes between south Sudan's army and a rebel militia, a state minister said yesterday.

Scores of troops and civilians were also injured, Upper Nile State Information Minister Peter Lam Both said.

He said the southern army (SPLA) clashed on Saturday with renegade commander Gabriel Tang's troops, during what was meant to be the reintegration of his forces into the army. The casualties were among his men.

A wave of violence has swept across the territory ahead of its independence in July. Reuters