Hungry, wounded, orphaned: South Sudan's children trapped in new conflictFighting between rival forces has left civilians wounded in hospital in Akobo, South Sudan. (Photo: AFP)AKOBO (SOUTH SUDAN) — An 18-month-old boy lies motionless on a dirty hospital bed deep in the conflict zone of South Sudan, a bullet wound in his leg -- another newly orphaned victim in the world's newest country. South Sudan gained independence in 2011 but soon descended into civil war between two rival generals, Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. Fighting in Jonglei state between the army under Kiir and forces loyal to Machar has displaced some 280,000 people since December, according to the United Nations. The Jonglei state government's information minister, Nyamar Lony Thichot Ngundeng, said she did not have information about the incidents.

Source: Bangkok Post February 18, 2026 07:13 UTC