JALLE, South Sudan, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- The United Nations said Tuesday its peacekeepers were investigating attacks that left about 45 people dead in the new nation of South Sudan.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission said the attack occurred Monday in the state of Jonglei. Initial reports were that at least 100 huts were burned and many villagers had fled when the violence erupted.
Citing local residents, the United Nations said the attackers were from the Murle community. An assessment team was sent to Jalle to determine what led to the attack.
The attack occurred a week ahead of a news conference that is to take place in nearby Pibor that is part of the effort to achieve a reconciliation between the Murle and Lou Nuer communities, the U.N. peacekeeping mission said. The two groups were involved in a series of clashes that killed about 600 people in September.
South Sudan became an independent nation in July, separating from Sudan.
