The UN Mission in South Sudan reported clashes yesterday in two parts of Upper Nile state.

UNMISS said there was "some heavy fighting near the Upper Nile State town of Nassir between government troops and armed youths who fired on an army patrol early this week," read a statement by Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary General in New York.

"The armed youths were seen retreating to the east," Dujarric said. "The same day, the Mission received reports of fighting between government troops and opposition forces about 40 kilometers southeast of Renk in Upper Nile state."

The statement made no mention of civilian or combatant casualties.