An airstrike in Nasir, South Sudan, led to civilian casualties amid escalating tensions between President Kiir’s forces and those loyal to First Vice President Machar. A local commissioner accused the SSPDF of the attack, which followed threats to retake the town by government officials. The incident has raised fears of renewed conflict in a region recovering from a devastating civil war.
An airstrike targeted the town of Nasir in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State late on Sunday, resulting in civilian casualties and significant fires. Local officials and witnesses reported that the attack was executed by forces loyal to President Salva Kiir against rival factions supporting First Vice President Riek Machar. The precise casualty figures and damage remain unconfirmed but are under investigation.
County Commissioner Gatluak Lew Thiep informed Radio Tamazuj that multiple bombs were dropped on the airstrip and nearby areas at approximately 11:40 PM, causing destruction and injuries. He has attributed the airstrike to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), alleging that it was a retaliatory measure following recent clashes.
Additionally, Gatluak mentioned that Longechuk County was also bombed on the same day, although details of that incident are scarce. Witnesses shared alarming reports on social media, depicting flames consuming houses and trees in Nasir. Local armed youth commander Tet Chuol Gatkuoth confirmed the bombing event but stated further damage assessments are still underway.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF Spokesperson, was not immediately reachable for comments regarding the incident. This airstrike occurred amidst a backdrop of escalating hostilities; Defence Minister Gen. Chol Thon Balok had recently asserted intentions to reclaim Nasir as tensions rise.
The strategic town of Nasir plays a pivotal role in the border interaction with Ethiopia and recently fell into the control of the White Army, a militia that Kiir claims is affiliated with Machar. The event is raising alarms about a potential resurgence of conflict between the two leaders, who previously faced off in a civil war between 2013 and 2018 that resulted in numerous fatalities. Furthermore, ongoing detentions of Machar’s associates in Juba are threatening the stability of the existing power-sharing agreement.
The recent bombing in Nasir underscores the precarious state of affairs in South Sudan as tensions revive between the factions of President Kiir and First Vice President Machar. The civilian casualties and property damage from the airstrike illustrate the fragility of the current political climate, exacerbated by previous violent confrontations and recent detentions of political allies. These developments could signal a descending spiral towards renewed conflict, complicating the already fragile unity government established in 2018.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
