An airstrike in Nasir, South Sudan, killed at least 19, sparking concerns of renewed conflict following recent ethnic clashes. Tensions remain high between the government and the White Army militia, linked to political rivalries and past civil wars. Local leaders reported severe casualties, and hospitals are treating wounded victims.
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 tragic event occurred less than two weeks after government forces retreated from the region following violent confrontations with the White Army, an ethnic militia comprised predominantly of Nuer youths.
The recent hostilities are particularly concerning as they have the potential to reignite the devastating civil war that plagued South Sudan from 2013 to 2018, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. The government has accused the political faction led by First Vice President Riek Machar, a Nuer, of aligning with the White Army, which had previously supported Machar’s forces against President Salva Kiir’s Dinka troops. However, Machar’s faction categorically denies any collaboration.
A South Sudanese general was among approximately 27 soldiers who perished on March 7 when a U.N. helicopter, attempting to evacuate them from Nasir, was attacked. On Monday, Information Minister Michael Makuei confirmed during a news conference that an airstrike targeted Nasir. Community leader Kang Wan reported that the attack occurred late on Sunday night, detailing that 15 individuals died instantly, while others succumbed to their injuries later.
Another resident corroborated that they witnessed 16 bodies, indicating that three individuals later died from their wounds. “All of them they got burned, everything got burned,” Wan relayed during a telephone interview with Reuters. Non-governmental organization Medecins Sans Frontieres confirmed that their hospital in nearby Ulang treated three wounded patients from Nasir on Monday, with two arriving dead due to severe burns.
Nasir County Commissioner James Gatluak Lew, who is aligned with Machar, suggested that the attack was a retaliatory action by the South Sudanese armed forces following the helicopter incident. Additionally, Uganda recently announced the deployment of special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to ensure security, although the South Sudanese government initially denied any Ugandan military presence. Yet, Makuei later acknowledged that some Ugandan troops were present to support the national army as needed.
The airstrike in Nasir underscores the fragility of the current situation in South Sudan, where ethnic tensions and past grievances threaten to reignite civil conflict. This incident, along with claims of retaliatory motives and foreign military involvement, highlights the complex dynamics at play within the region. Immediate international attention and humanitarian aid are crucial to addressing the needs of the affected populations and preventing further violence.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
