An airstrike by South Sudan’s air force killed at least 19 people in Nasir, escalating tensions following recent ethnic clashes. The incident raises concerns about renewed civil conflict. Accusations of collusion between political factions and ethnic militias complicate the situation, while international involvement adds to the complexity of the crisis.
On March 17, 2025, an airstrike conducted by South Sudan’s air force resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals in the eastern town of Nasir, as reported by local residents. This incident occurred shortly after government forces had retreated from the region due to intense confrontations with an ethnic militia known as the White Army, primarily composed of armed Nuer youths. These clashes raised alarms regarding the potential resurgence of the civil war that occurred between 2013 and 2018, which resulted in significant casualties.
The South Sudanese government has accused the faction of First Vice President Riek Machar, predominantly a Nuer, of colluding with the White Army, which previously allied with Machar’s forces against the ethnic Dinka troops loyal to President Salva Kiir during the civil war. Machar’s faction has firmly denied any involvement in the recent conflicts. On March 7, an incident involving a UN helicopter resulted in the deaths of approximately 27 soldiers, including a South Sudanese general, during an evacuation attempt from Nasir.
South Sudan’s Information Minister, Michael Makuei, confirmed the airstrike during a news conference, while community leader Kang Wan reported that the attack had occurred late on Sunday night. According to him, 15 individuals were killed instantly, while others later succumbed to their injuries. Another resident mentioned witnessing 16 deceased individuals. “All of them they got burned, everything got burned,” stated Wan in a telephone interview with Reuters.
Additionally, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) indicated that its hospital in the nearby area of Ulang treated three injured patients from Nasir on Monday morning. Tragically, two of these individuals were pronounced dead upon arrival due to severe burn injuries. Meanwhile, Nasir County Commissioner James Gatluak Lew, a supporter of Machar, suggested that the government forces’ actions were likely motivated by retaliation for the earlier helicopter incident.
In a related development, Uganda recently announced the deployment of special forces in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, under the pretext of security stabilization. The South Sudanese government initially denied the presence of Ugandan troops; however, Makuei later acknowledged that some Ugandan military units were indeed in the country to provide assistance to the national army as required.
In summary, the recent airstrike in Nasir has escalated tensions in South Sudan, resulting in significant casualties and raising concerns over the potential flare-up of conflict. The accusations of collaboration between political factions and ethnic militias complicate the country’s fragile peace. Urgent attention is needed to address the humanitarian implications of these events, as demonstrated by the tragic loss of life from the airstrike and the associated consequences for health services in the region.
Original Source: bdnews24.com
