According to the UN, several members of the national army came under fire while being evacuated by UN helicopters from Upper Nile State. The attack resulted in the deaths of a crew member, a South Sudanese general, and several South Sudanese troops.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir claimed that a second helicopter managed to take off after the attack only to crash land later killing everybody onboard Still, the UN has said that both of the helicopters managed to land safely in Malakal.
Reportedly, South Sudanese security forces have arrested several high-ranking officials, including the petroleum minister, the peacebuilding minister, the deputy head of the army, and other senior military figures allied with Machar. The spokesperson described these arrests as a deliberate provocation that contributed to the recent outbreak of violent clashes. Despite growing concerns over escalating tensions, the South Sudanese government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the detainment of Machar’s allies within the administration.
The escalating fighting in Upper Nile State between The South Sudanese Armed Forces and the white Army an ethnic Militia that represents the Nuer ethnicity is Already threatening the fragile peace between President Kiir and Vice-President Riik Machar raising concerns that South Sudan will find itself in another civil war.