AT LEAST 275 DEAD AS REBELS ATTACK ARMY BARRACKS

JUBA At least 275 people have died in fighting between government and rebel forces in South Sudan, officials from both sides say.

Jonglei Gov. Phillip Aguer says rebels attacked the army barracks in the town of Pajut on Aug. 19. He says at least 242 opposition and 23 government soldiers died and 10 civilians were killed in the crossfire.

But a spokesman for the rebels, James Gatdet, says the army launched the offensive and that more than 300 soldiers and 30 rebels were killed.

Meanwhile, rebel leader Riek Machar was said to be in need of “urgent medical attention.”