Geneva, Feb. 9 -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalating violence in South Sudan and gave a call to all parties to immediately and decisively halt all military operations, de-escalate tensions through dialogue.

In a statement delivered by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, it mentioned, "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the escalating violence in South Sudan, where nearly 10 million people - more than two thirds of the population - need life-saving humanitarian assistance and continue to bear the brunt of the conflict."

The statement noted how fighting, attacks and looting of humanitarian and health facilities - alongside movement restrictions and insecurity on key supply routes - a...