South Sudan Conducts Air Strikes Amid Rising Tensions and Civilian Casualties
South Sudan has initiated air strikes against rebels in Nasir County amidst escalating violence that jeopardizes the peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The air force operations have led to significant casualties among civilians, raising international alarm regarding the potential regression in human rights and peace efforts.
South Sudan has conducted air strikes against rebels amid escalating clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, which endanger the already fragile peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth confirmed the air force’s bombardment during a press conference, noting its aim as part of broader “security operations.”
The violence has reportedly resulted in more than 20 fatalities, including children, according to a local commissioner. Lueth indicated that civilians caught in the strikes are an unfortunate consequence of the military operations, stating, “If you as a civilian happen to be there… then there is nothing we can do.”
This conflict poses a serious threat to the 2018 peace deal established to end a five-year civil war that caused approximately 400,000 deaths. Kiir’s supporters have accused Machar’s forces of collaborating with the White Army, a group of armed youths from the Nuer ethnic community, inciting unrest in the region. Tensions escalated notably when around 6,000 White Army fighters overtook a military encampment in Nasir earlier this month.
An attempted rescue by the United Nations resulted in the death of a UN helicopter pilot alongside a senior South Sudanese general. Lueth acknowledged the presence of Ugandan forces in Juba under a “military pact,” reversing a previous denial regarding their deployment. The Ugandan army’s chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, recently stated that special forces had entered Juba to ensure security.
The escalating unrest has raised alarms internationally, with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan declaring that the nation is experiencing an “alarming regression” that could reverse years of advancements.
The South Sudanese air strikes against rebels reflect deepening tensions between warring factions, which threaten the fragile peace agreement signed in 2018. With international concern mounting and rising casualties among civilians, the situation in South Sudan remains critical, necessitating immediate attention and resolution to prevent further deterioration.
Original Source: www.citizen.digital
