South Sudanese rights groups demanded Thursday an international arms embargo for their conflict-wracked nation, as millions of dollars worth of newly-bought weapons fuel an almost nine-month long civil war

South Sudanese rights groups demanded Thursday an international arms embargo for their conflict-wracked nation, as millions of dollars worth of newly-bought weapons fuel an almost nine-month long civil war.
  
"As long as these weapons are imported into South Sudan, they are likely to be used to commit further atrocities," the petition reads, signed by over 30 South Sudanese and international organizations.
  
Groups who signed the petition, which calls for an "immediate, comprehensive arms embargo", include the country's Law Society and Human Rights Society.
 
 International groups include Amnesty International, Global Witness and Human Rights Watch.
  
Thousands of people have been killed and more than 1.8 million have fled a civil war in the country, sparked by a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and his sacked deputy Riek Machar. Aid workers have warned of famine if fighting continues.