A UN helicopter was shot at in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state, killing one crew member and injuring two others.
The helicopter was attempting to evacuate wounded soldiers from the conflict zone when it came under fire.
Unfortunately, several members of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), including an injured general, were also killed during the evacuation attempt.
The UN has condemned the attack, stating that it “may constitute a war crime under international law”.
The organization has urged an investigation to determine those responsible and hold them accountable.
The incident has sparked concerns about the fragile peace deal between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar, which has been fraught with tensions since its signing in 2018.
The ongoing fighting in Upper Nile is between the armed forces and the White Army, an ethnic militia allied with Machar during the war.
President Kiir has urged the nation to “remain calm” and assured that the government will handle the crisis.
However, the situation remains volatile, with a slew of arrests sparking concerns that South Sudan may see a return to war.
