South Sudan Conducts Air Strikes Against Rebels Amid Escalating Violence

South Sudan has conducted air strikes in Nasir County against rebel forces, leading to significant loss of life and threatening fragile peace agreements. The strikes are part of ongoing military operations amid accusations of unrest fomented by Vice President Machar’s forces. The actions have attracted international scrutiny, with concerns over worsening humanitarian conditions in the region.

South Sudan is currently engaged in air strikes against rebel forces, marking an escalation in the ongoing conflict. These clashes occur in Nasir County, located in Upper Nile State, between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The instability poses a significant threat to their already fragile peace-sharing agreement established in 2018 after the civil war, which resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities.

Michael Makuei Lueth, South Sudan’s information minister, confirmed the air strikes, stating, “Our air force bombarded Nasir this morning.” Reports indicate that over 20 individuals, including children, lost their lives during these attacks. Lueth characterized the strikes as part of “security operations” and expressed a stern warning regarding civilian casualties, suggesting a lack of accountability for the outcomes of military actions in populated areas.

The ongoing violence insinuates a deterioration of the fragile peace deal, with allegations that Machar’s forces are inciting unrest in alliance with the White Army, an armed group composed mainly of the vice president’s Nuer ethnic community. Tensions escalated when approximately 6,000 members of the White Army overtook a military encampment in Nasir earlier this month, provoking further military responses.

An attempted rescue operation conducted by the United Nations resulted in the tragic death of both a UN helicopter pilot and a senior South Sudanese general, illustrating the severe consequences of the conflict. Additionally, Lueth acknowledged the presence of Ugandan forces in the capital, Juba, under a military pact, contradicting prior assertions about their deployment in South Sudan. This development followed comments from Ugandan army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba regarding their mission to secure Juba.

The escalating violence and instability have drawn international concern, particularly from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, which cautioned about an “alarming regression” in the country that threatens to reverse progress made in recent years.

In conclusion, the air strikes in South Sudan signify a serious escalation of violence between factions aligned with President Kiir and Vice President Machar. The loss of life in Nasir and the destabilization of the peace agreement raise grave concerns about the future of the nation. With increasing international scrutiny and the involvement of foreign forces, the situation demands urgent attention to prevent further humanitarian crises.

Original Source: www.citizen.digital