A South Sudanese general and dozens of soldiers were killed on Friday when a United Nations helicopter, attempting to evacuate them from the northern town of Nasir, came under attack, according to the South Sudanese government.
The United Nations condemned the attack, calling it “utterly abhorrent” and warning that it could constitute a war crime. The U.N. crew had been attempting to airlift soldiers following heavy clashes between national forces and the White Army militia in Nasir. The White Army is a militia group that President Salva Kiir’s government has linked to forces loyal to his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar.
In a national address, President Kiir confirmed the deaths of General Majur Dak and other soldiers, stating that Machar had assured both him and the U.N. representative that the general would be safe and that the rescue mission should proceed to Nasir. Information Minister Michael Makuei reported that “approximately 27” soldiers, along with a U.N. crew member, were killed in the attack.
It remains unclear whether the helicopter was struck while in the air or while still on the ground. Machar’s spokesman, Puok Both Baluang, declined to comment on the attack. The leader of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom, called the assault “utterly abhorrent” and urged a thorough investigation to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable.
This incident follows a period of rising tensions in South Sudan. Earlier this week, Machar’s party condemned the arrests of senior officials allied with him, including the petroleum minister, the peacebuilding minister, and the deputy head of the army, which some believe could jeopardize the fragile 2018 peace deal that ended the civil war between Kiir’s and Machar’s forces.
The White Army, predominantly composed of armed youth from the Nuer ethnic group, fought alongside Machar’s forces during the 2013-2018 civil war against Kiir’s predominantly ethnic Dinka troops.
Despite Kiir’s reassurance on Friday that the country would not return to war, analysts have warned that the escalating tensions in Nasir could lead to a full-blown conflict. The U.N. has called for all actors to refrain from violence and urged South Sudan’s leaders to engage in dialogue to de-escalate the situation and prevent further deterioration of security.
