A UN helicopter in South Sudan was attacked, killing a general and many soldiers, threatening the fragile peace process. The incident has been condemned by the UN as a potential war crime. Tensions are high amid recent detentions of key military figures related to the ongoing conflict between rival factions.
On Friday, a UN helicopter was attacked in South Sudan while attempting to evacuate a general and numerous soldiers from Nasir, resulting in the deaths of a number of individuals, including the general. The assault is deemed a significant threat to the ongoing peace process in the nation. The United Nations condemned the incident, labeling it as “utterly abhorrent” and suggesting it may qualify as a war crime, according to reports from News.Az and Reuters.
The helicopter was in pursuit of rescuing General Majur Dak and his troops following heavy fighting in Nasir involving national forces and the White Army militia, associated with First Vice President Riek Machar’s faction. President Salva Kiir disclosed that prior assurances had been given regarding the general’s safety, prompting the UN’s rescue mission to proceed to Nasir.
Information Minister Michael Makuei reported that around 27 soldiers were killed in the attack, which also claimed the life of a UN crew member. It remains unclear whether the helicopter was struck while airborne or on the ground during the assault. The head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom, described the incident as a potential war crime, emphasizing the need for an investigation into the matter.
Tensions remain high as security forces under Machar’s command apprehended several key military officials linked to him, raising concerns about the stability of the peace agreement established in 2018. Despite the government’s reticence regarding these detentions, the nation has witnessed repeated violence amid ongoing factional struggles.
President Kiir, while asserting that South Sudan would not regress to war, faces warnings from analysts who believe that increasing rivalries could spark renewed conflict. The UN has called upon all parties to cease hostilities and for leaders to engage in dialogue to mitigate tensions and stabilize the situation across South Sudan, particularly in Nasir.
The attack on the UN helicopter in South Sudan signifies a serious escalation in conflict, possibly undermining the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement. As tensions escalate, the UN has called for accountability and dialogue among South Sudan’s leaders to avoid a return to warfare. The situation remains precarious, with numerous casualties and ongoing feuds among political factions.
Original Source: news.az
