Deadly clashes threaten fragile peace as South Sudan faces renewed conflict
**Tragedy Strikes UN Mission in South Sudan Amid Escalating Violence**
**Tragedy Strikes UN Mission in South Sudan Amid Escalating Violence**
Several fatalities reported after UN helicopter ambush in Upper Nile state
In a tragic escalation of violence, several lives were lost after a UN helicopter, tasked with evacuating wounded troops from conflict zones in South Sudan, came under gunfire. According to a statement from the UN mission in South Sudan (Unmiss), one crew member and a South Sudanese general were among those who perished during this dangerous operation. The incident occurred in the Upper Nile region while efforts were being made to transport injured soldiers, with UN officials indicating that the attack could potentially be classified as a war crime.
President Salva Kiir reported that a second helicopter attempted to evacuate personnel but crashed on takeoff, resulting in the death of all passengers onboard. In total, Information Minister Michael Makuei has stated that 27 South Sudanese soldiers were killed due to ongoing hostilities related to the armed forces and the White Army militia, which has historical ties to Vice-President Riek Machar.
The country has been plagued by instability since the outbreak of civil war in 2013, leading to a complex peace agreement signed in 2018. However, sporadic fighting has persisted, putting the fragile treaty to the test. In an effort to maintain calm, President Kiir urged citizens not to take matters into their own hands, asserting that his administration would address the current unrest effectively.
Unmiss head Nicholas Haysom condemned the attack, expressing regret over the loss of lives and highlighting the gravity of the situation. The airstrike comes amidst ongoing unrest and a series of arrests involving high-ranking allies of Machar, further raising concerns about a potential return to warfare in the world's youngest nation. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but its journey has been marred by conflict and instability ever since.
President Salva Kiir reported that a second helicopter attempted to evacuate personnel but crashed on takeoff, resulting in the death of all passengers onboard. In total, Information Minister Michael Makuei has stated that 27 South Sudanese soldiers were killed due to ongoing hostilities related to the armed forces and the White Army militia, which has historical ties to Vice-President Riek Machar.
The country has been plagued by instability since the outbreak of civil war in 2013, leading to a complex peace agreement signed in 2018. However, sporadic fighting has persisted, putting the fragile treaty to the test. In an effort to maintain calm, President Kiir urged citizens not to take matters into their own hands, asserting that his administration would address the current unrest effectively.
Unmiss head Nicholas Haysom condemned the attack, expressing regret over the loss of lives and highlighting the gravity of the situation. The airstrike comes amidst ongoing unrest and a series of arrests involving high-ranking allies of Machar, further raising concerns about a potential return to warfare in the world's youngest nation. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but its journey has been marred by conflict and instability ever since.
