Renewed Airstrikes in Nasir: Escalating Violence in South Sudan

Nasir, South Sudan, has experienced renewed airstrikes by the SSPDF and UPDF amidst heightened tensions between President Kiir and Vice President Machar. Recent attacks have caused civilian casualties and destruction in the local market. Local officials and activists are calling for an immediate halt to violence and for international intervention to protect civilians.

The town of Nasir in Upper Nile State is currently facing intense airstrikes initiated by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF). This new escalation occurs amid escalating conflicts between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. This incident represents the second wave of attacks in recent weeks, following a previous airstrike on March 17 that resulted in the deaths of at least 21 civilians, including women and children.

Recently, Uganda has moved troops into South Sudan, with specific orders from its military chief to secure Juba, the capital. The UPDF has been accused of supporting the SSPDF through aerial bombardments. South Sudan’s Defence Minister has expressed intentions to recapture Nasir, which was recently lost to the White Army militia allied with Machar during clashes on March 4.

Commissioner Gatluak Lew Thiep reported to Radio Tamazuj that military planes targeted Nasir town early Wednesday morning, dropping multiple bombs. He condemned these actions, alleging the use of chemical weapons. The commissioner detailed that two individuals, including a mother and her toddler, suffered severe injuries, with the child’s prognosis remaining grim.

The commissioner observed that the airstrikes led to significant destruction in the local market, with numerous businesses, particularly tea stalls, being destroyed by explosive debris. He shared personal experiences of the airstrike’s impact, mentioning four bombs landing at his compound and injuring the mother and child.

Edmund Yakani, a civil society activist in South Sudan, has urged national leaders to cease the ongoing violence and airstrikes against Nasir. He warned that prolonged violence could escalate into a broader war involving foreign powers. Yakani called upon President Kiir and Vice President Machar to accept accountability for the conflict and emphasized the need for intervention from international organizations to prevent further humanitarian crises.

Yakani also criticized Uganda’s involvement, stating it undermines the peace process, and requested their president intervene to halt the conflict. He expressed concern over the potential for exacerbated human rights violations amid this turbulence, emphasizing the urgency for change.

The situation in Nasir, South Sudan, remains dire as renewed airstrikes have greatly affected the civilian population, resulting in casualties and significant destruction. Calls for intervention from both national and international figures underline the escalating conflict, while accusations against the Ugandan military add complexity to the ongoing peace efforts. The local leadership and the international community must act swiftly to prevent further deterioration and protect civilians from harm.

Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org