By Philip Buda Ladu
Local authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, reported that a Sunday night airstrike in Nasir town resulted in the deaths of 20 civilians, including women and children under five.
County Commissioner, James Gatluak Lew confirmed to No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper on Monday that Twenty (20) people were killed by the air bombardment and one other remains in critical condition.
“The total of dead is 20 and one is currently in critical condition. Among the deaths, three were children under five, two women and 14 were teenage men, and a sub-chief who was the elder among those people killed” he told this outlet.
Gatluak echoed that the security situation in Nasir from last night up to Monday afternoon in other locations is deteriorating because of the air bombardment.
According to him, the Sunday night air bombardments were not meant for the white army as the government said but rather, it was actually directed to civilians given the casualties, adding that the people who are victims, the majority of them are women and children.
The commissioner believed the air bombardment is clearly revenge after the killing of the SSPDF area commander in the area following a fierce gunfire battle between the government forces and the local militia who identify themselves as the white army.
Mr. Gatluak accused the government and its allies of using chemical weapons against the civilians in Nasir town justifying his allegation with the burning sustained by the casualties of the Sunday air bombardments.
“What they have used last night was a chemical bomb, it actually burns, it wasn’t a gunship weapon that killed people it was the gas that burnt people including the houses,” he stated.
The commissioner emphasized that the bombardment Sunday night was in Nasir town and the one on Monday afternoon was outside the town.
“Today’s (Yesterday) afternoon bombardment they were using gunship however what they used last night (Sunday) was an Antonov. And we realized from the remains that were found out today when we were collecting casualties that it was Uganda Antinov that has been hired to bomb the people” he reiterated.
Gatluak appealed to the national government on the need to advocate for dialogue instead of waging war against civilians, especially the Sunday night bombardment that targeted women and children under five.
“Instead of waging war against the civilians or maybe civilians against the government we have to work very hard to also advocate for lasting peace in South Sudan and the only way to get it is through dialogue” he urged.
The Minister of Information and government spokesperson, Michael Makuei told journalists in a press conference on Monday afternoon that the government carried out the air strike in Nasir on Monday.
Makuei however said the air force military operation in Nasir was a security matter that is of less public concern.
“What happened this morning are security operations that you are not very much concerned about them” he journalist. “Our air force has bombarded Nasir this morning”
Meanwhile, when asked about civilians’ casualties and who to bear responsibility the minister said, people must stay off ‘negative forces’ to be safe otherwise.
“When the bombardments happened, it happened to the (Negative or White Army Forces) and if you (civilian) happened to be there within the forces, then there is nothing we can do about you but if you are in the town outside the forces nothing will reach you” Makuei stated.
However, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have yet to comment on the air strike in Nasir as our repeated calls to the army spokesperson were futile by press time.