Content_paragraphs:  Civilians also bore the brunt of violence in Maiwut, Upper Nile, involving a
  
  splinter faction of SPLA-IO forces loyal to Major-General Ochan Puot, which
  
  defected to the Government. This latest round of violence surged in late December
  
  and early January, following a period of relative calm. At least 10 civilians were 
  
  killed, bringing the cumulative total of civilian casualties to at least 34 killed and 8
  
  injured, as well as 24 confirmed cases of conflict-related sexual violence, since the
  
  start of the clashes in late July 2019.