South Sudan’s government has ordered civilians to evacuate northern regions amid escalating violence and military airstrikes targeting armed groups. The ongoing conflict threatens the 2018 peace agreement and has resulted in civilian casualties. Rising tensions between President Kiir and Vice President Machar exacerbate the situation.
The government of South Sudan has urged civilians to evacuate northern areas, following escalating violence. This directive came after military airstrikes targeted an armed group accused of seizing a military base and attacking a UN helicopter. The ongoing conflict in Nasir County threatens the fragile peace established in 2018, which ended a five-year civil war resulting in over 400,000 deaths.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth announced that civilians in designated military zones who refuse to leave will face consequences. He confirmed that airstrikes had been conducted in Nasir County and additional operations are planned. Reports indicate that these bombings have already claimed the lives of over a dozen civilians, although the military has refrained from acknowledging civilian casualties.
Clashes between government forces and the White Army, an armed faction purportedly allied with Vice President Riek Machar, have escalated. Tensions have further heightened after President Salva Kiir dismissed several officials loyal to Machar, accusing his faction of undermining the peace agreement. Additionally, government troops have surrounded Machar’s residence in the capital, Juba, amplifying the conflict’s intensity.
The South Sudanese government is intensifying its military operations in response to armed group activities, placing civilians at risk. As military airstrikes continue, the fragile peace from the 2018 agreement is again under threat. The ongoing conflicts highlight the political strife between President Kiir and Vice President Machar, risking further instability in the region.
Original Source: morningstaronline.co.uk
