A UN evacuation attempt in South Sudan was disrupted by a deadly shooting, resulting in several fatalities. A crew member died, and an injured general was among those killed when a helicopter was attacked. A subsequent helicopter crash led to further loss of life, raising concerns about a return to war amid escalated regional violence and political unrest.
Several fatalities have occurred in South Sudan due to a UN evacuation attempt that was attacked. A United Nations helicopter was targeted, resulting in the death of one crew member, as reported by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Additionally, an injured South Sudanese general and several soldiers lost their lives during this incident in the Upper Nile state.
Following the attack, President Salva Kiir announced that another UN helicopter managed to take off, but this aircraft later crash-landed, claiming the lives of all its passengers. While the UN has yet to substantiate these claims, it stated that the assault on the first helicopter might amount to a war crime.
Ongoing violence in Upper Nile jeopardizes the fragile peace deal between President Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar, which was inked in 2018 following a devastating five-year civil war that left approximately 400,000 dead and displaced 2.5 million.
The current fighting is primarily between the South Sudanese army and the White Army, a militia allied to Machar during the earlier conflict. In collaboration with both factions, UNMISS has been tasked with evacuating injured personnel from the conflict zone. UNMISS chief Nicholas Haysom condemned the attack on UN personnel, calling it “utterly abhorrent” and expressing condolences for the deceased.
President Kiir identified the Army General who died as Gen. Majur Dak, who commanded forces in Nasir. Amid heightened tensions, numerous arrests of Machar’s allies, including senior officials, have raised fears of a potential return to warfare. In response to the situation, Kiir appealed for calm, asserting that his government would manage the crisis attentively.
The recent UN evacuation attempt in South Sudan resulted in tragic fatalities following an armed attack on a helicopter. This incident, occurring amid ongoing conflicts in Upper Nile, poses serious threats to peace agreements in the region. With the turbulent political situation, including the arrest of key figures, the potential for renewed violence remains a pressing concern. President Kiir’s call for calm highlights the urgency of stabilizing the nation.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
