An airstrike in Nasir, South Sudan, has led to civilian casualties and fires amidst increased tensions between forces loyal to President Kiir and First Vice President Machar. The attack is reportedly a retaliation by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) following recent clashes. The situation remains fragile with implications for the 2018 peace agreement.
An airstrike targeted Nasir, a town in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, late on Sunday, resulting in civilian casualties and extensive fires. Local officials, including Nasir County Commissioner Gatluak Lew Thiep, reported the military aircraft dropped multiple bombs around 11:40 PM. Although the precise casualties remain unverified, the attack devastated property and left individuals needing hospital care.
Gatluak attributed the strike to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) as retaliation for previous confrontations in the region. He also indicated that Longechuk County experienced bombing on the same day, although further details were limited.
A video circulating on social media depicted a scene of destruction in Nasir, with fires engulfing homes and vegetation. Local armed youth commander Tet Chuol Gatkuoth confirmed the airstrike but noted that damage assessments were not yet complete.
This airstrike has occurred amid escalating hostilities, particularly following the assertion from Defence Minister Gen. Chol Thon Balok, who pledged to retake Nasir following the death of an SSPDF commander during a U.N. evacuation attempt earlier this month.
Nasir, strategically located near the Ethiopian border, was overtaken by the White Army militia on March 4, provoking further tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The region remains precarious, exacerbated by recent arrests of Machar’s associates in Juba, impacting the fragile power-sharing agreement formed from the 2018 peace deal. Nasir has undeniably become a critical flashpoint since the White Army’s action against an SSPDF base.
The recent bombing in Nasir points towards escalating violence between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. As civilian casualties rise and the potential for renewed conflict looms, the fragile power-sharing arrangement established in the 2018 peace deal may be increasingly jeopardized. This volatile situation underscores the need for urgent attention to protect civilians and prevent further hostilities.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
