Khartoum: A deadly attack on a United Nations helicopter in South Sudan has left a senior general and dozens of soldiers dead, the government confirmed on Friday.
The aircraft was on a mission to evacuate the troops from Nasir, a northern town that had seen intense clashes between government forces and the White Army militia.
According to the United Nations, the attack could be considered a war crime. The head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom, condemned the incident as "utterly abhorrent" and called for an investigation to identify and hold those responsible accountable.
The helicopter was sent to extract General Majur Dak and his men after assurances were given to both President Salva Kiir and the UN that their evacuation would be safe. However, the operation turned tragic when the aircraft came under fire. Information Minister Michael Makuei reported that around 27 soldiers, along with a UN crew member, were killed.
The exact details of the attack remain unclear, including whether the helicopter was struck while airborne or while on the ground.
The White Army militia, linked to forces loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar, has been involved in recent clashes in the region. However, Machar's spokesman, Puok Both Baluang, declined to comment on the incident. His party has previously denied any involvement in the fighting in Nasir.
This latest escalation comes amid rising tensions in South Sudan. Earlier this week, security forces arrested several senior military and government officials associated with Machar, including the petroleum minister, the peacebuilding minister, and the deputy army chief. The arrests threaten the stability of the 2018 peace agreement that ended a brutal five-year civil war.
Despite the incident, President Kiir reaffirmed his commitment to peace, stating that the country would not return to war. However, analysts warn that the growing tensions could trigger a renewed conflict.
The UN has urged all parties to avoid further violence and resolve disputes through dialogue. South Sudan, which has faced frequent intercommunal clashes even after its 2018 peace deal, hosts nearly 20,000 UN peacekeepers deployed to maintain stability in the country.
