Air Strike in South Sudan Claims Lives Amid Rising Tensions

An air strike by South Sudan’s air force killed at least 19 people in Nasir, escalating tensions after recent ethnic violence. The conflict involves accusations of collaboration between First Vice President Riek Machar’s party and a militia group, amidst fears of renewed civil war. The presence of Ugandan troops also complicates the security dynamics in the region.

On March 7, an air strike conducted by South Sudan’s air force resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals in Nasir, located in the eastern part of the country. This attack followed the withdrawal of government forces from the area, which had recently experienced violent clashes with an ethnic militia known as the White Army. The situation has intensified fears of a resurgence of the civil war that plagued the nation from 2013 to 2018, claiming numerous lives.

The conflict in Nasir primarily involved clashes between the national forces and the White Army, which consists largely of armed ethnic Nuer youths. The government has accused the faction led by First Vice President Riek Machar, who is of Nuer descent, of collaborating with the White Army during these skirmishes. Machar’s party has firmly denied any involvement in these actions. A reported incident earlier involved a UN evacuation helicopter, which was attacked, resulting in the death of a South Sudanese general and approximately 27 soldiers.

Information Minister Michael Makuei confirmed that the South Sudanese air force bombed Nasir on Monday morning. Local community leader Kang Wan stated the strike occurred late Sunday night, asserting that 15 victims died instantly while others succumbed to their injuries later. Another resident reported witnessing 16 bodies, with additional deaths noted. “All of them they got burned, everything got burned,” Wan relayed to Reuters.

Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) reported receiving three wounded patients at their hospital in Ulang, with two unable to survive upon arrival due to severe burns. Nasir County Commissioner James Gatluak Lew suggested that the military action was likely a retaliatory measure for the earlier helicopter attack.

Additionally, last week, Uganda announced the deployment of special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, citing security purposes. Although the South Sudanese government initially denied the presence of Ugandan troops, Makuei later acknowledged that some Ugandan army units are indeed in South Sudan to support the national army as required.

In summary, the recent air strike in Nasir, which resulted in at least 19 fatalities, has escalated tensions in South Sudan and reignited fears of civil unrest following previous ethnic clashes. The accusations against Riek Machar’s party regarding coordination with the White Army highlight ongoing political strife. Furthermore, the involvement of Ugandan forces in South Sudan adds another layer of complexity to the security situation, necessitating close observation in the region.

Original Source: www.canberratimes.com.au