An airstrike in Nasir, Upper Nile state, killed at least 21 civilians, including women and children. Witnesses blame SSPDF and UPDF for the attack targeting residential areas. Local officials confirm rising violence and urge dialogue for peace. Uganda has deployed troops in support of the South Sudan government amid growing instability. Activists demand immediate ceasefire and accountability for the airstrike.
On Sunday night in Nasir, Upper Nile state, an airstrike tragically claimed the lives of at least 21 civilians, including two women and two children, according to local officials and eyewitness reports to Radio Tamazuj. One survivor is reportedly in critical condition. Witnesses blame the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for the strikes, asserting they targeted residential neighborhoods, resulting in the destruction of homes.
Ter Chuol Gatkuoth, a White Army commander, reported that the victims suffered horrific burns due to multiple bomb strikes. He stated, “Yesterday, 17 people died on the spot after the bombing, and five were injured. However, now only one injured person remains alive, as the rest succumbed to their injuries.”
Gatluak Lew Thiep, the Nasir County Commissioner, confirmed that the airstrike resulted in at least 21 fatalities. He further disclosed that bombardment resumed in Nasir County shortly after, affecting Ngueny Boma in Koat Payam. “We are still trying to assess the casualties from the aerial bombardment this afternoon,” he remarked, noting disruptions to the mobile network in the area.
In light of the escalating violence in the region, Commissioner Thiep urged the national government to seek sustainable peace and resolve ongoing tensions through dialogue. Following the airstrike, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced on social media that Ugandan forces had initiated operations in South Sudan to support President Salva Kiir’s government amid growing instability. This follows Uganda’s recent confirmation of troop deployment in South Sudan to address security concerns.
The bombing has intensified tensions in Nasir, a strategically significant border town with Ethiopia that was captured by the White Army on March 4. The militia is said to have connections with Riek Machar, Kiir’s rival, with both leaders engaged in a violent civil war from 2013 to 2018, resulting in approximately 400,000 casualties. Civil society activist Edmund Yakani has called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of peace monitors to investigate the airstrike. He asserted, “Crimes against humanity are unfolding in plain sight,” demanding accountability for the assault.
The recent violence coincides with statements from South Sudan’s Defence Minister Gen. Chol Thon Balok, who vowed to retake Nasir following losses sustained by the SSPDF during a failed UN evacuation on March 7. As of now, the SSPDF has not provided any comments regarding the incident.
The airstrike in Nasir, which resulted in 21 civilian deaths, underscores the grave humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. Local authorities, including Commissioner Gatluak Lew Thiep, emphasize the urgent need for peace dialogue to address the underlying tensions. Additionally, the involvement of Ugandan troops raises concerns of escalating regional conflict. Continuous calls for a ceasefire and accountability signal a critical moment for civil society advocacy in the region.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
