US Journalist Dead in South Sudan

A brutal civil war in the world's youngest country has claimed the life of an American journalist. Freelancer Christopher Allen, who had been embedded with rebel troops, was killed during a battle with government soldiers in the South Sudan town of Kaya, reports Reuters. The State Department has confirmed Allen's death and occupation, though few details were available about him.

“We are sad for his family," said one rebel. "He came here to tell our story." He added that Allen had been wearing jacket labeled PRESS. South Sudan has been a nation only since 2011, but it has been embroiled a civil war for four years now. The UN estimates that in addition to tens of thousands of people killed, more than 1 million people have fled into neighboring Uganda, per CNN. (More on the conflict here.)