An airstrike in Nasir, Upper Nile state, killed at least 21 civilians, including two women and two children. Witnesses accused the SSPDF and UPDF of executing the attack. Ongoing violence has prompted calls for peace and accountability, with Uganda’s military operations further complicating the situation.
On Sunday night, an airstrike in Nasir town, located in Upper Nile state, resulted in the tragic death of at least 21 civilians, including two women and two children. Local officials and witnesses relayed to Radio Tamazuj that one survivor remains critically injured following the attack. Eyewitnesses have accused the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) of being responsible for this assault, which reportedly targeted residential areas and caused extensive property destruction.
One of the White Army commanders, Ter Chuol Gatkuoth, described the harrowing scene, stating that the victims “were burned to death” as multiple bombs fell upon the town. He confirmed, “Yesterday, 17 people died on the spot after the bombing, and five were injured. However, now only one injured person remains alive.” Commissioner of Nasir County, Gatluak Lew Thiep, corroborated the casualty count and noted that bombardments have resumed in the area targeting Ngueny Boma, revealing challenges in assessing further casualties due to a downed mobile network.
The county commissioner has urged the national government to address the ongoing violence and to facilitate lasting peace through dialogue. Following the airstrike, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced that Ugandan troops have commenced operations in South Sudan to support President Salva Kiir amid escalating instability. Uganda previously confirmed troop deployment citing security risks.
The airstrikes have exacerbated tensions in Nasir, a strategic border town with Ethiopia, recently taken over by the White Army on March 4. This militia is purportedly linked to First Vice President Riek Machar, who previously engaged in a brutal civil war against President Kiir from 2013 to 2018, which resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths.
Edmund Yakani, notable civil society advocate, has called for an immediate ceasefire and accountability, stating, “Crimes against humanity are unfolding in plain sight,” and urged peace monitors to investigate the airstrike. The violence coincides with comments from South Sudan’s Defence Minister, Gen. Chol Thon Balok, who pledged to retake Nasir following casualties suffered by the SSPDF during a failed UN evacuation on March 7.
The airstrike in Nasir has resulted in significant civilian casualties, raising serious concerns over accountability and ongoing violence in South Sudan. Local authorities are stressing the necessity for dialogue to foster peace, while regional military involvements by Uganda highlight the urgency of the situation. The call for ceasefire and investigation into the events underlines the desperate need for resolution to prevent further humanitarian crises.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
