Nasir, Upper Nile State faces renewed airstrikes by SSPDF and UPDF, exacerbating tensions between South Sudan’s leaders. Previously, on 17 March, a similar attack killed 21 civilians. A town official reported civilian injuries and market destruction, while calls for intervention highlight the urgent need for peace to prevent a larger conflict.
The town of Nasir, situated in Upper Nile State, has recently experienced a surge in aerial attacks launched by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in conjunction with the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF). This escalation follows the ongoing tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, marking a worrying trend in the region.
This incident follows a previous attack on 17 March, which resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 21 civilians, including women and children. Uganda has enhanced its military presence in South Sudan, deploying special forces to secure its capital, Juba, as it is alleged that the UPDF is supporting the SSPDF’s airstrike operations.
Recent declarations by South Sudan’s Defence Minister indicate a strategy to reclaim Nasir, previously overrun by the White Army militia linked to Riek Machar on 4 March after intense confrontations with SSPDF forces. The local Commissioner, Gatluak Lew Thiep, reported that multiple aerial bombs struck Nasir around 3:30 AM on a Wednesday, resulting in significant casualties.
The commissioner further alleged that the airstrikes involved the use of chemical weapons. The bombardment injured a mother and her two-year-old child, both of whom are in critical condition. Additionally, the explosion damaged the Nasir market, causing extensive destruction to numerous shops, particularly those selling tea.
Civil society activist Edmund Yakani has urged the South Sudanese authorities to cease the assaults on civilians, labeling them as inhumane actions. He implored President Kiir to halt the bombings, warning that continued violence could ignite a broader conflict involving foreign entities, exacerbating national suffering.
Yakani emphasized the shared responsibility of President Kiir and Vice President Machar to restore peace, calling for accountability for the ongoing violence. He appealed to international bodies like IGAD, the African Union, and the United Nations to intervene and foster dialogue aimed at preventing further humanitarian crises, cautioning that current military actions undermine the peace process established by the region’s leadership.
The situation in Nasir is critical, with renewed airstrikes raising serious concerns about civilian safety and escalating violence in South Sudan. The involvement of foreign forces and the continued conflict between key political figures further complicate the landscape. Urgent action from both national leadership and international organizations is necessary to halt the ongoing violence and protect innocent lives, as failure to do so may lead to catastrophic consequences for the region.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
