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The Star
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
South Sudan army confirms carrying out aerial bombardment
JUBA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Wednesday acknowledged carrying out what it termed as strategic aerial bombardments in Jonglei and Unity states. "As of now, SSPDF Command has no comments to make on reported strategic bombing raids in Fangak and Mayom counties of Jonglei and Unity states, respectively," SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The airstrikes by the SSPDF in Kueryick village of Mayom County killed six people and wounded 12 others, according to the state's youth leader. "The destruction inflicted upon civilians is unacceptable and violates fundamental human rights, undermining efforts toward peace and stability in the region," Nyadin Lual Gai, chairperson of Unity State Youth Union, said in a statement. The airstrike near a World Food Program warehouse in New Fangak damaged a dike that protects local people from floods. The military operation came after the bombing of a hospital run by the global medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) and a market in Old Fangak on Saturday, which left seven people dead and 27 others seriously injured. The bombing of the health facility, which serves about 110,000 people, has since been strongly condemned by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, which monitors the implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
South Sudan's military recaptures key town from White Army militia
Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang, attends a press conference following a night of gunfire after security forces moved to arrest the former head of the intelligence service, in Juba, South Sudan November 22, 2024. REUTERS/Samir Bol/File Photo South Sudan's army said it had recaptured a key town in Upper Nile state that it lost to an ethnic Nuer militia in March in clashes which led to the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar and a spiralling political crisis. President Salva Kiir has served in an uneasy power-sharing government with Machar since a 2018 peace deal ended a civil war between fighters loyal to the two men which killed hundreds of thousands of people. Machar's detention under house arrest, for trying to stir up a rebellion through his supposed support for the White Army militia in Upper Nile, has ignited international fears of renewed conflict along ethnic lines. Spokespeople for the military and White Army, which Machar's party denies backing, said Nasir town was re-captured on Sunday without a fight. "We were just taking a tactical withdrawal," said Honson Chuol James, White Army spokesperson, adding that 17 people were killed during heavy bombardment of the nearby village of Thuluc. Army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang said the military were able to avoid an ambush in Thuluc thanks to close air support. "They were spotted when they were grouping, and they were fired on, and then they dispersed," Koang said. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni visited Kiir earlier this month after deploying his army to help secure South Sudan's capital Juba amid the heightened political tensions. Uganda's military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also Museveni's son, claims his troops have since killed 1,500 fighters from the White Army, which fought alongside Machar's forces in the civil war. Earlier this month Machar's SPLM-IO party appeared to be starting to splinter. One faction declared it had temporarily replaced Machar as party chairman, while the armed wing said it remained loyal to their detained leader. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
South Sudan's military recaptures key town from White Army militia
Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang, attends a press conference following a night of gunfire after security forces moved to arrest the former head of the intelligence service, in Juba, South Sudan November 22, 2024. REUTERS/Samir Bol/File Photo (Reuters) - South Sudan's army said it had recaptured a key town in Upper Nile state that it lost to an ethnic Nuer militia in March in clashes which led to the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar and a spiralling political crisis. President Salva Kiir has served in an uneasy power-sharing government with Machar since a 2018 peace deal ended a civil war between fighters loyal to the two men which killed hundreds of thousands of people. Machar's detention under house arrest, for trying to stir up a rebellion through his supposed support for the White Army militia in Upper Nile, has ignited international fears of renewed conflict along ethnic lines. Spokespeople for the military and White Army, which Machar's party denies backing, said Nasir town was re-captured on Sunday without a fight. "We were just taking a tactical withdrawal," said Honson Chuol James, White Army spokesperson, adding that 17 people were killed during heavy bombardment of the nearby village of Thuluc. Army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang said the military were able to avoid an ambush in Thuluc thanks to close air support. "They were spotted when they were grouping, and they were fired on, and then they dispersed," Koang said. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni visited Kiir earlier this month after deploying his army to help secure South Sudan's capital Juba amid the heightened political tensions. Uganda's military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also Museveni's son, claims his troops have since killed 1,500 fighters from the White Army, which fought alongside Machar's forces in the civil war. Earlier this month Machar's SPLM-IO party appeared to be starting to splinter. One faction declared it had temporarily replaced Machar as party chairman, while the armed wing said it remained loyal to their detained leader. (Reporting by Nairobi Newsroom; Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Ros Russell)
