UN personnel, soldiers killed in evacuation mission in South Sudan
UNMISS said the attack killed one crew member and left two others seriously injured. "In addition, several members of the SSPDF,
including an injured general, were killed during the attempt by UNMISS to extract them from the area, which was made at the request of all parties," the UN mission said.
- JUBA — At least
one United Nations (UN) personnel and several government soldiers were killed
on Friday when a UN helicopter came under heavy gunfire in Nasir County, Upper
Nile State, South Sudan, the UN mission said.
-
- In a statement issued in Juba, South Sudan's capital, the UN
Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said the helicopter was conducting an
evacuation mission in Nasir to rescue South Sudan People's Defence Force
(SSPDF) soldiers who had been besieged for four days by the White Army armed
group, which has been battling the SSPDF since last week.
-
- UNMISS said the attack killed one crew member and left two
others seriously injured. "In addition, several members of the SSPDF,
including an injured general, were killed during the attempt by UNMISS to
extract them from the area, which was made at the request of all parties,"
the UN mission said.
-
- The mission said the evacuation was part of its efforts to
prevent further violence in Nasir and ease political tensions following recent
clashes between the SSPDF and armed youth that resulted in significant
casualties and civilian displacement.
-
- Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the
Secretary-General and head of UNMISS, expressed regret for the killings,
particularly when assurances of safe passage had been received, Xinhua news
agency reported.
-
- UNMISS called for an investigation to identify and hold
those responsible accountable. It also urged all parties to refrain from
further violence and called on the country's leaders to take immediate action
to resolve tensions through dialogue and prevent a further deterioration of
security in Nasir and beyond.
-
- "It is vital that parties adhere to their commitment to
uphold the ceasefire and protect the integrity of the Revitalized Peace
Agreement," it said.
-
- Clashes erupted in Nasir on March 3 between the SSPDF and
the local Nuer White Army, leading to the SSPDF's withdrawal from the town. The
unrest also prompted the arrest of several senior army officers in the capital
who were loyal to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition,
led by First Vice President Riek Machar.
