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Jordan Times
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Clashes between Uganda, S.Sudan forces killed six
JUBA — Clashes between South Sudanese and Ugandan forces near the countries' shared border this week killed at least six security force members, mostly from South Sudan, officials said Wednesday. Uganda has a history of involvement in impoverished South Sudan and has long provided military support to President Salva Kiir, including a deployment of Special Forces since March. It was not clear what triggered the clashes on Monday between the Ugandan People's Defence Forces [UPDF] and government troops in Central Equatoria State that were confirmed by the army, the South Sudanese People's Defence Force [SSPDF]. Police in Kajo Keji county, where the clashes took place, said "two SSPDF officers, two prison officers and a police officer" were killed, according to a statement from local authorities on Wednesday. The statement quoted local army commander Henry Buri as saying the Ugandan forces "were heavily armed with tanks and artilleries" and had targeted 19 "joint operation" forces. Ugandan army spokesman Felix Kulayigye told AFP they "lost one soldier during the exchange of fire". He said "elements" of South Sudan's army had entered Uganda, resulting in the confrontation. Local chief Erasto Tumiya, who witnessed the incident, told AFP it occurred after an attack by unknown assailants, with the subsequent army deployment "misunderstood by Ugandan authorities as a provocation". He said "the Ugandan army prepared and launched a surprise attack, even bringing seven tanks." Resident Leju Champlain said the Ugandan army "started firing at the South Sudanese forces with all their ammunition, including from armoured vehicles", adding the soldiers also used rocket-propelled grenades. "Civilians went into disarray and ran randomly, and even now, some people have not found their children and are still searching," he added. 'Truly desperate' Local bishop James Lule urged the countries to work together to avoid a repeat of the situation that had left displaced people "truly desperate". "Some of them are currently camping in churches and schools within Bori Boma due to fear," he said. Uganda sent troops to support Kiir when civil war broke out in the country in 2013, just two years after it gained independence from Sudan. The civil war between Kiir and his long-time rival, Riek Machar, lasted five years and left some 400,000 dead before a power-sharing agreement was reached in 2018. Uganda again deployed special forces in March this year as Kiir moved once again against Machar, eventually placing him under house arrest. That has all but buried the power-sharing deal and triggered conflict between the army and members of a militia from Machar's ethnic Nuer community. According to local media, the Ugandan army has used chemical weapons, namely barrel bombs containing a flammable liquid that killed civilians, against Nuer militias in South Sudan's northeast. Uganda has denied the accusations.
Arab News
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
At least 5 dead in clashes between Uganda, South Sudan forces: official
JUBA: At least five South Sudan security forces were killed in clashes with the Ugandan army near the countries' shared border earlier this week, local officials said Wednesday. Uganda has a history of involvement in impoverished South Sudan, and has long provided military support to President Salva Kiir, including a deployment of special forces since March. It was not clear what triggered the clashes on Monday between the Ugandan People's Defense Forces (UPDF) and government troops in Central Equatoria State that were confirmed by South Sudanese People's Defense Force (SSPDF). Police in Kajo Keji county, where the clashes took place, said 'two SSPDF officers, two prison officers and a police officer' were killed, according to a statement from local authorities on Wednesday. The statement quoted local army commander Henry Buri as saying the Ugandan forces 'were heavily armed with tanks and artilleries,' and had targeted 19 'joint operation' forces. There was no comment from the Ugandan government. An earlier statement by local county officials said there had been 'loss of lives and injuries from both sides.' Uganda sent troops to support Kiir when civil war broke out in the country in 2013, just two years after it gained independence from Sudan. The civil war between Kiir and his long-time rival, Riek Machar, lasted five years and left some 400,000 dead before a power-sharing agreement was reached in 2018. Uganda again deployed special forces in March this year as Kiir moved once again against Machar, eventually placing him under house arrest. That has all but buried the power-sharing deal and triggered conflict between the army and members of a militia from Machar's ethnic Nuer community. The Ugandan army has been accused of using chemical weapons, namely barrel bombs containing a flammable liquid that killed civilians, against Nuer militias in South Sudan's northeast. Uganda has denied the accusations.
Arab News
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
At least 5 dead in clashes between Uganda, S.Sudan forces: official
JUBA: At least five South Sudan security forces were killed in clashes with the Ugandan army near the countries' shared border earlier this week, local officials said has a history of involvement in impoverished South Sudan, and has long provided military support to President Salva Kiir, including a deployment of special forces since was not clear what triggered the clashes on Monday between the Ugandan People's Defense Forces (UPDF) and government troops in Central Equatoria State that were confirmed by South Sudanese People's Defense Force (SSPDF).Police in Kajo Keji county, where the clashes took place, said 'two SSPDF officers, two prison officers and a police officer' were killed, according to a statement from local authorities on statement quoted local army commander Henry Buri as saying the Ugandan forces 'were heavily armed with tanks and artilleries,' and had targeted 19 'joint operation' was no comment from the Ugandan earlier statement by local county officials said there had been 'loss of lives and injuries from both sides.'Uganda sent troops to support Kiir when civil war broke out in the country in 2013, just two years after it gained independence from civil war between Kiir and his long-time rival, Riek Machar, lasted five years and left some 400,000 dead before a power-sharing agreement was reached in again deployed special forces in March this year as Kiir moved once again against Machar, eventually placing him under house has all but buried the power-sharing deal and triggered conflict between the army and members of a militia from Machar's ethnic Nuer Ugandan army has been accused of using chemical weapons, namely barrel bombs containing a flammable liquid that killed civilians, against Nuer militias in South Sudan's has denied the accusations.
Russia Today
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Peacekeepers killed in helicopter crash in Somalia (VIDEO)
A military helicopter deployed under an African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Somalia has crashed at the international airport in the capital, Mogadishu, killing five personnel on board, authorities have reported. The Mi-24 helicopter, operated by the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF), was carrying eight people – including six crew members – and was on a routine combat escort mission when it crashed at 07:30 local time on Wednesday, according to military spokesman Felix Kulaigye. 'The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived the crash but sustained serious injuries and severe burns,' Kulaigye said in a statement. Three civilians who were injured as a result of a detonation of onboard munitions, which caused significant damage to nearby structures, are currently receiving treatment alongside the surviving crew members, he added. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the crash, Kulaigye said. The statement did not clarify whether the personnel were all Ugandan troops, who are serving with the more than 11,000-strong African Union peacekeeping force, known as AUSSOM. The mission supports the Somali government in its fight against the Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group, which has waged a brutal insurgency in the East African country for over two decades. Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Kenya also contribute troops to the mission. Flight disruption including Turkish Airlines flight (bound for Mogadishu) diversion to Nairobi after a military helicopter crashed and caught fire at Aden Adde Airport earlier AUSSOM military helicopter with eight personnel on board crashed while landing at Mogadishu's… AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has expressed his 'profound sorrow at the tragic loss' of the five peacekeepers and extended his 'deepest condolences' to the families of the victims. He also declared the continental body's commitment to 'ensuring that the sacrifice of these brave peacekeepers continues to advance the cause of peace, stability, and security in Somalia.' The crash adds to a series of helicopter incidents involving African Union forces in Somalia. Early last month, a helicopter manned by Burundian troops came down during an evacuation flight in the Middle Shabelle region. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility, saying it had shot down the aircraft, but AUSSOM reported that the helicopter was forced to land after it 'experienced a technical malfunction.' All crew members survived. Last September, another helicopter carrying peacekeepers, including Ugandan troops, went down near Mogadishu, with no casualties reported. In February 2023, an AU helicopter crashed during a training exercise in the Lower Shabelle region, killing three people and injuring eight others.
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Zawya
Ugandan military helicopter crashes at Somalia's Mogadishu airport, three dead
MOGADISHU: An African Union helicopter operated by the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent crash-landed just before touching down on Wednesday at the Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, while enroute from the Baledogle military airbase. Somali authorities announced that three people were killed. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said in a statement earlier that 'search and rescue operations are currently underway to retrieve the remaining crew and passengers.' The helicopter crash-landed at Mogadishu's international airport just before touching down, AUSSOM said.
