A U.N. helicopter was attacked in Nasir, South Sudan while evacuating troops, leading to the death of a crew member and soldiers. The incident occurred amid clashes between military forces and the White Army militia. UNMISS condemned the attack as a potential war crime and called for accountability. Tensions amidst political instability and arrests of officials linked to Riek Machar raise concerns about peace in the region.
On Friday, a United Nations helicopter in Nasir, South Sudan, was attacked while attempting to evacuate troops, resulting in the death of a crew member and multiple soldiers, including a general. The U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported that the helicopter was targeted during heavy clashes between national forces and the White Army militia, which the government associates with its political rival, Riek Machar.
UNMISS’s head, Nicholas Haysom, condemned the incident as “utterly abhorrent” and noted that it may potentially constitute a war crime under international law. He expressed regret over the fatalities among the soldiers they aimed to rescue, indicating they had received assurances for safe passage before the mission. Haysom called for a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for the attack.
The office of South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir announced that he would address the nation in response to these developments, although attempts to contact the government spokesperson went unanswered. The conflict in Nasir reignites tensions between the Nuer ethnic group, affiliated with Machar’s forces, and the Dinka troops loyal to Kiir.
Concerns regarding the fragile peace process have emerged following the recent arrests by security forces of several high-ranking officials allied to Machar, including the petroleum and peacebuilding ministers, as well as the deputy army chief. While Machar’s representatives have denied the involvement of their party in the fighting, the government has not publicly addressed these detentions.
The recent attack on a U.N. helicopter in South Sudan highlights the ongoing conflict between national forces and the White Army militia, raising serious implications for the peace efforts in the region. UNMISS has called for accountability, while the political climate remains unstable due to recent arrests of senior officials. Tensions between the rival ethnic groups continue to threaten the fragile peace process established after years of civil war.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
