By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Residents of Juba City witnessed a red streak on Monday evening sky, sparking speculation of a missile launch or an unusual atmospheric phenomenon.
However, an hour later, the SPLA-IO Spokesperson reported on social media that the event was an airstrike on their base west of Juba County.
Pointing at South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) for being responsible, Lam Paul Gabriel reported that the 19:00 bombardment targeted SPLA-IO cantonment site in Wunaliet, near Juba.
Without offering details of damages, the SPLA-IO spokesperson condemned the attack, terming it a provocation and a violation of the Revitalized Agreement for Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.
Lam denounced the “SSPDF’s planned attack” on SPLA-IO forces at Wunaliet cantonment site in Luri Payam County. He urged the international community to intervene and halt the aggression against SPLA-IO forces.
Meanwhile, SSPDF Spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, when contacted for comment, stated that his department was verifying the claims.
In a subsequent Facebook post, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai said that the information would be released to the public once it was received from operational and base commanders, in Nyamini and surrounding areas, including Wunaliet.
However, civil society activist, Edmond Yakauni, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment Organization (CEPO), alleged to have seen the airstrike.
“We have witnessed an airstrike directed towards SPLA-IO bases outside Juba. These attacks on SPLA-IO sites, along with threats from armed militia demanding the national army’s withdrawal from Unity State, are unacceptable and must be strongly condemned,” Yakauni said.
Recent weeks have witnessed escalating military clashes in Nasir and Ulang Counties of Upper Nile State, involving SPLA-IO-affiliated militia and government forces supported by Ugandan troops.