The strike took place on March 16, less than two weeks after government forces withdrew from the area.

This latest attack follows a tragic incident earlier this month when 27 soldiers lost their lives during a United Nations (UN) helicopter evacuation operation. The helicopter came under fire, leading to suspicions that the recent airstrike could be a retaliatory action by the government.

In a statement, South Sudan’s Minister of Information, Michael Makuei, confirmed the bombing of Nassir by South Sudanese forces, with support from the Ugandan military. According to the government, the operation targeted what they described as a "terrorist organisation" linked to the White Army, a militia group that some claim has associations with the country’s First Vice President, Riek Machar. However, local reports suggest that the group is largely composed of civilians.

The attack has sparked concerns, with some speculating that it may have been an act of revenge for the deaths of the soldiers and the downing of the helicopter. Following the killing of a senior general and the subsequent capture of Nassir by militia forces, officials had previously expressed intentions to retaliate, lending weight to the theory of revenge.

The presence of Ugandan forces in the region has also raised controversy. While initially denied by South Sudanese authorities, the government has now acknowledged the deployment of Ugandan troops under a longstanding bilateral agreement.

The airstrike has raised fears regarding the stability of the 2018 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar. Civil society organisations and international bodies have expressed alarm that this escalation could push the country back into full-scale conflict, jeopardising the progress made since the signing of the peace deal.

--ChannelAfrica--