A UN helicopter was attacked in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, resulting in the deaths of one UN crew member and several soldiers from the SSPDF. The helicopter was conducting a rescue mission for SSPDF soldiers besieged by the White Army. UNMISS has called for accountability and urged all parties to cease violence and engage in dialogue to resolve tensions.
On March 7, a United Nations helicopter was attacked in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, South Sudan, resulting in the deaths of at least one UN personnel and several soldiers from the government. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) confirmed that the helicopter was engaged in an evacuation operation intended to rescue South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) soldiers who had been encircled by the White Army armed group for four days.
The assault led to the death of one crew member and left two others critically injured. Additionally, several SSPDF members, including an injured general, lost their lives during the UNMISS extraction attempt, which was initiated at the request from all involved parties. The mission intended to mitigate further violence and address the political tensions caused by recent conflicts.
Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNMISS, expressed profound sorrow regarding the fatalities, especially given that assurances for safe passage had been provided. He stated that an investigation should be launched to identify the perpetrators behind the attack and hold them accountable.
UNMISS called upon all factions to cease violence and urged the nation’s leaders to engage in dialogue to extenuate the ongoing tensions, thereby averting further degradation of security. The mission underscored the necessity for parties to honor their ceasefire commitments and maintain the integrity of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
The attacks stemmed from clashes beginning on March 3 between the SSPDF and local armed forces, resulting in significant casualties and the withdrawal of the SSPDF from Nasir. Additionally, these events triggered the apprehension of several high-ranking military officials in Juba allied with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition, led by First Vice President Riek Machar.
The tragic incident involving the UN helicopter in South Sudan highlights the ongoing conflict and challenges faced by peacekeeping operations in the region. It underscores the need for dialogue among conflicting parties to resolve tensions and maintain peace, as well as the importance of accountability for violent acts against personnel attempting to assist in humanitarian evacuations.
Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz
