<P> The military headquarters near Juba University was then attacked with fighting continuing throughout the night . The next day heavy gunfire and mortar fire were reported, and UNMISS announced that hundreds of civilians sought refuge inside its facilities Aguer said that some military installations had been attacked but that "the army is in full control of Juba," that the tense situation was unlikely to deteriorate, and an investigation was under way . Several people were also injured during the fighting . Juba International Airport was closed indefinitely; Kenyan airlines Fly540 and Kenya Airways indefinitely suspended flights to Juba after the airport closed . A dusk - to - dawn curfew was imposed until further notice . State - owned SSTV went off - air for several hours . When it returned to broadcasting, it aired a message by President Salva Kiir . The dissident group was said to include Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) founder John Garang's widow, Rebecca Garang . </P> <P> Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin claimed that those that were a part of the coup were "disgruntled" soldiers and politicians led by Machar and that at least ten people were confirmed to have been detained, seven were confirmed as former ministers including former Finance Minister Kosti Manibe and Pagan Amum was later reported to be held in house arrest . Other arrests included those of Kiir's critics . Information Minister Micheal Makuei Leuth claimed that Machar had left Juba with some soldiers and stolen cattle . </P> <P> President Salva Kiir spoke on national television on 16 December, having abandoned his signature suit and cowboy hat for military fatigues, and said, while surrounded by government officials, that the coup had been foiled and that it was orchestrated by a group of soldiers allied with the former vice president . On 21 December, the government announced its unconditional readiness to hold peace talks with any rebel group, including Machar In a Christmas message, Kiir warned of the fighting becoming a tribal conflict . Chief Whip and MP from the large state of Eastern Equatoria, Tulio Odongi Ayahu, announced his support for Kiir . The SPLM - affiliated youth group condemned the attempted overthrow of Kiir . </P> <P> Machar spoke for the first time since the crisis began on 18 December in which he said he was not aware of any coup attempt, but instead blamed Kiir for fabricating such allegations of a coup in order to settle political scores and target political opponents . He accused Kiir of inciting ethnic tensions to achieve his ends . He also said the violence was started by the presidential guard, which was founded by Kiir and told to report directly to him instead of the military . He refused to deny or acknowledge support for Gadet but that "the rebels are acting in the right direction ." On 22 December, Machar said he wanted to be the leader of the country and that "his" forces would maintain control of the country's oil fields . </P>

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