SSPDF, UPDF carryout airstrikes in Nasir says South Sudan’s Government

By Adia Jildo

Government spokesperson Michael Makeui Lueth, who is also the minister of Information, Communication Technology, and Postal Services, said government troops air-raised Nasir town in Upper Nile state on Sunday night and Monday morning.

“Our air force has bombarded Nassir this morning,” said Makuei. adding. “What happened this morning are security operations that you are not very much concerned about.”

The action follows tensions between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces ( SSPDF) and armed civilians known as the “white army”
The clashes between government troops and the “white army” who fought for First Vice President, Riek Machar between 2013-2018 dislodged the SSPDF from Nasir in the process killing the force commander in the area Lt General David Majur.

According to Nasir County Commissioner, Gatluak Lew Thiep, several bombs were dropped by a military aircraft in the town’s airfield and surrounding areas causing multiple casualties. However, according to Makuei, the bombardment that happened Sunday night occurred in the white army territory and did not target any civilians.

He also warned civilians, who have taken up arms against the government to return to their respective homes and those near the white army territory to vacate as it vows to continue with its operations.

 “I’m appealing from here to all the white army who claim to be civilians to go back to their home areas and fill their locks. Any civilian who is in the military zone and refusing to leave that military zone will be treated accordingly,” he warned.

“All their assembly areas, assembly areas of the display of the white army must be clear. If you continue to stay in those areas, then you are a negative force,” he added.

According to Makeui, the operations is to prevent any development of these forces against the government in the future.