South Sudan rebels launch major attack on key oil town Malakal: Witnesses

Juba: Rebel forces in South Sudan launched a major assault early Tuesday against the key town of Malakal, the government-controlled capital of the oil-rich Upper Nile state, witnesses told AFP.

"The fighting is very heavy. There is fighting on the outskirts of the town. It`s a very big, coordinated attack," an independent source said.