Fierce clashes shake South Sudan for a fifth day

Heavy explosions are shaking South Sudan's capital Juba Monday morning as clashes between government and opposition forces entered their fifth day, pushing the country back towards civil war.

A "massive explosion" hit shortly after 9 am followed by further blasts in the Tomping area of Juba, home to embassies, the airport and a UN base, said an aid worker.

"It rings through the whole city every time they fire," said the aid worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to press. "I think one of the tanks must be near me, my ears are burning."

Explosions and "very heavy gunfire" sounding "like popcorn," was reported by a resident in the Gudele area, who insisted on anonymity for safety.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan reported on Twitter that clashes restarted near its compound in Jebel, where some 30,000 civilians have taken refuge.

Read also: War looms over South Sudan as fighting intensifies

	Plumes of smoke rise after government attack helicopters hovered over the Checkpoint district  of the capital Juba [Getty]

The opposition also has a base near Jebel and their leader, First Vice President Riek Machar, also has his home there.

An Associated Press (AP) reporter in the city reported widespread shooting preventing residents from moving around.

Two UN peacekeepers from China were killed at the base Sunday night, according to Chinese state media.

An eyewitness in the UN base who was not authorised to speak to the press told AP that he saw a government tank fire on a Chinese armoured personnel carrier.

There were 67 injuries and eight deaths in the UN base on Sunday, according to an internal situation report circulated among humanitarian organisations.

Water tanks have not been able to bring water to the tens of thousands sheltering inside the base.

Some 10,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in Juba and many are sheltering at the two UN bases, a World Food Programme compound and other areas, said UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs spokeswoman Matilda Moyo.

The United States told its citizens it would evacuate all non-essential staff from the country.

The Canadian embassy has closed entirely, according to a message sent to its citizens. India is planning to evacuate its citizens, according to a tweet by its external affairs minister.

The weekend clashes escalated following a skirmish last Thursday in which five soldiers were killed. Since then more than 100 people have been reported killed.