Airstrike in Nasir, South Sudan, Results in Loss of Lives Amid Rising Tensions

An airstrike by South Sudan’s airforce in Nasir has killed at least 19 people, following recent clashes between national forces and the White Army. The incident raises alarms over a potential resurgence of civil conflict, with accusations of political collaboration. Community leaders have reported severe casualties, and external troops from Uganda are noted amid the tensions.

An airstrike conducted by South Sudan’s airforce resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals in the eastern town of Nasir, according to local residents. This incident follows the withdrawal of government forces from the region, which had experienced intense fighting with an ethnic militia known as the White Army. The ongoing clashes near the Ethiopian border have raised concerns about a potential resurgence of the civil war that occurred from 2013 to 2018, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

The South Sudanese government accuses the First Vice President Riek Machar’s party, predominantly composed of ethnic Nuer members, of colluding with the White Army, a militia that allied with Machar during the civil war against President Salva Kiir’s predominantly ethnic Dinka troops. However, Machar’s party has refuted these accusations. A recent incident also led to the death of approximately 27 soldiers, including a South Sudanese general, when a UN helicopter was attacked during an evacuation attempt from Nasir.

Michael Makuei, South Sudan’s Information Minister, confirmed the airstrike on Nasir during a press conference. Community leader Kang Wan reported that the strike occurred late Sunday night, resulting in immediate fatalities for 15 individuals, while others later succumbed to injuries. Another witness stated that they saw 16 bodies, with three additional deaths reported.

“All of them they got burned, everything got burned,” Wan relayed to Reuters via telephone. In response to the attack, Médecins Sans Frontières reported that its hospital in Ulang received three wounded patients, two of whom died upon arrival due to severe burns.

James Gatluak Lew, the Nasir County Commissioner aligned with Machar, expressed that the armed forces are likely retaliating for the earlier helicopter attack. Meanwhile, Uganda has announced the deployment of special forces in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to “secure it.” The South Sudanese government initially denied the presence of Ugandan troops, though Makuei later indicated that some units were present to support the national army as needed.

The recent airstrike in Nasir has escalated tensions in South Sudan, leading to multiple fatalities amid ongoing conflicts with ethnic militias. The government’s actions reflect a cycle of violence and retaliation, exacerbated by the historical context of the prior civil war. The involvement of external forces, such as Uganda, further complicates the situation, indicating a precarious relationship among neighboring nations. As the region grapples with instability, the humanitarian implications remain profound, demanding urgent attention to safeguard affected civilians.

Original Source: bdnews24.com