Casualties Rise in South Sudan Amid UN Helicopter Attack and Ongoing Conflict
Significant casualties were confirmed in South Sudan following an attack on UN helicopters. The incident, during an evacuation in Upper Nile state, resulted in the death of a crew member, a general, and several soldiers. This situation threatens the peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar, emphasizing the potential for a return to conflict in the nation.
In South Sudan, escalating violence has resulted in significant casualties following an assault on United Nations (UN) helicopters attempting to evacuate members of the national army. Reports detail that one crew member perished during the attack, while a South Sudanese general and several troops were also killed during this operation in Upper Nile state. The UN has declared that this incident qualifies as a potential war crime.
President Salva Kiir later reported that a second helicopter, which managed to take off after the initial assault, crash-landed, resulting in the deaths of all personnel on board. However, the UN mission, Unmiss, stated that both helicopters landed safely in Malakal. According to Information Minister Michael Makuei, the total number of South Sudanese fatalities stands at twenty-seven.
Recent weeks of fighting in Upper Nile have jeopardized the fragile peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. The discord between the two leaders initially ignited a civil war in 2013 that led to the deaths of 400,000 individuals and displaced 2.5 million others. Despite a peace accord established in 2018, tensions have continued to persist. The ongoing conflict involves engagements between the armed forces and the White Army, an ethnic militia allied with Machar during the previous war.
In cooperation with the White Army and the South Sudanese army, Unmiss is actively working to evacuate wounded troops from the conflict zones. Nicholas Haysom, the head of Unmiss, condemned the attack on UN personnel, calling it “extremely abhorrent” and reiterating that it could constitute a war crime under international law. He expressed profound condolences for the loss of life, especially for those attempting a rescue.
President Kiir identified the deceased army general as Gen. Majur Dak, who commanded forces stationed at Nasir in Upper Nile. Amid the chaos, government authorities have begun detaining several allies of Machar, including the oil minister and a senior army general, raising concerns about a potential return to war. In response to the violence, Kiir has urged the nation to “remain calm” and stated that he would not allow the country to descend back into conflict, asserting that his government is prepared to manage the crisis effectively.
As the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, and these events underscore the fragile state of peace within the country as it grapples with ongoing internal strife.
The violent incidents occurring in South Sudan reflect a severe deterioration of the fragile peace established post-civil war. The attack on UN helicopters highlights escalating tensions and the potential for further conflict, jeopardizing the stability of the nation. The government has been urged to exercise restraint and manage the crisis, but uncertainty looms as arrests of opposition figures raise fears of renewed warfare.
Original Source: www.bbc.com