An airstrike in Nasir, South Sudan, has killed at least 19 people, escalating tensions after recent conflicts between government forces and the White Army militia. The attack is viewed as possible retaliation for previous military incidents, with accusations against Vice President Machar’s party. Medical facilities confirmed casualties from the incident and warnings of increased unrest were issued as ethnic divides deepen.
An airstrike by South Sudan’s airforce has resulted in at least 19 fatalities in Nasir, located in the eastern part of the country. This incident occurred shortly after government troops had retreated from the area following intense clashes with the White Army, an ethnic militia predominantly comprising Nuer youths. These conflicts have raised concerns about the potential for renewed violence reminiscent of the civil war that lasted from 2013 to 2018, claiming numerous lives.
The South Sudanese government accuses First Vice President Riek Machar, a Nuer leader, of colluding with the White Army, who previously supported Machar’s forces against the Dinka troops loyal to President Salva Kiir during the civil strife. Machar’s party has denied any involvement with the militia, denying the government’s accusations.
On March 7, a U.N. helicopter attempting to rescue soldiers was attacked, leading to the death of around 27 soldiers, including a South Sudanese general. Following this, South Sudan’s Information Minister, Michael Makuei, confirmed that the airforce conducted the bombing in Nasir on Monday morning. Community leader Kang Wan reported that the bombing occurred late Sunday night, resulting in 15 immediate deaths, with others succumbing to their injuries later.
Residents described a horrific scene, stating, “All of them they got burned, everything got burned,” as multiple bodies were observed. Medical aid organization Medecins Sans Frontieres confirmed that they treated three wounded individuals from Nasir, noting that two died due to severe burns upon arrival at their facility.
James Gatluak Lew, the County Commissioner aligned with Machar, suggested that the airstrike was likely an act of revenge for the earlier helicopter attack. Recently, Uganda announced it had sent special forces to Juba for security purposes, while South Sudan’s government denied any Ugandan troop presence. However, Makuei suggested that some Ugandan units were indeed assisting the national army based on their needs.
The recent airstrike in Nasir has raised alarm over potential escalations in South Sudan’s ongoing conflict. With accusations of collusion and the involvement of ethnic militias, the region remains in turbulent condition. Historical tensions between ethnic groups and the government, reflected in the government’s response to prior military attacks, suggest a precarious situation that could lead to further instability.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
