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2025 Nasir clashes

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Coordinates: 08°36′25″N 33°02′38″E / 8.60694°N 33.04389°E / 8.60694; 33.04389
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Nasir clashes
Part of the aftermath of the South Sudanese Civil War
Date3 March – 21 April 2025
(1 month, 2 weeks and 4 days)
Location
Nasir, Nasir County, South Sudan
08°36′25″N 33°02′38″E / 8.60694°N 33.04389°E / 8.60694; 33.04389
Result SSPDF evacuates Nasir
Belligerents
Nuer White Army  South Sudan
 Uganda (9 March–1 April)		 United Nations UNMISS
Commanders and leaders
Ter Chuol Gatkuoth Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak † Nicholas Haysom
Lt. General Mohan Subramanian
Strength
unknown around 40 soldiers[1] 2 helicopters
Casualties and losses
more than 40 killed
77 wounded[2]		 27+ killed[3] 1 helicopter crew member killed, 2 wounded[4]
50,000 people displaced[5]

Clashes broke out in the South Sudanese town of Nasir between members of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Nuer White Army on 3 March 2025, resulting in the capture of the town's army barracks by the White Army. During an SSPDF evacuation attempt on 7 March, helicopters belonging to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan came under fire, resulting in significant casualties.

The clashes have had major political consequences, leading to arrest of dozens of politicians affiliated with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, and have raised concerns that the country might return to civil war.[6] In cooperation with the Uganda People's Defence Force, the SSPDF has conducted airstrikes in and around Nasir.

Background

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The town of Nasir is located on the Sobat River in Upper Nile State, 26 km (16 mi) from the border with Ethiopia. The Nuer people are the primary inhabitants, and the town was a stronghold of the Nuer-majority Sudan People's Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) during the South Sudanese Civil War. The town was largely destroyed when captured by government forces in May 2014; the town was retaken by SPLA-IO forces in July 2014.[7]

Even after the signing of the R-ARCSS—the agreement that ended the civil war—in 2018, tensions in Nasir remained high. On 10–11 February 2024, clashes broke out between White Army members and soldiers with the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) after a dispute involving fishing nets, leaving several dead.[8][9] The White Army has protested the SSPDF presence in the town, calling for Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) to replace the soldiers, who are perceived as partisan.[10][11] On 14–15 February 2025, four SSPDF soldiers were killed when White Army members attacked a group collecting firewood; at least 10 civilians were injured in the resultant shelling.[12][13]

Conflict

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Initial clashes and the SSPDF evacuation

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Around 4 p.m. on 3 March, a White Army member was killed by the SSPDF, sparking clashes which continued until Tuesday evening.[14] White Army members secured the town of Nasir as well as part of the Wec Yar Adiu army barracks located around 3 km (2 mi) west of the town.[15] On 5 March, the White Army and the government agreed to allow the SSPDF troops to be airlifted out of Nasir using UNMISS helicopters; however, the evacuation was delayed until 7 March, and the SSPDF soldiers took refuge in armed vehicles.[16] When the two helicopters arrived, an exchange of fire with the White Army led to the death of one of the UNMISS helicopter operators and around 27 SSPDF soldiers.[4][17] In the aftermath of the evacuation attempt, the remaining SSPDF soldiers fled to surrounding areas, with 15 soldiers going to Ulang County.[18]

Airstrikes

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In response to the clashes, Uganda deployed special forces to Juba on 9 March.[19] Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces, announced the deployment on X, stating, "We the UPDF, only recognise ONE President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir ... Any move against him is a declaration of war against Uganda!"[20] Muhoozi ordered the UPDF to halt its attacks on 1 April.[21]

On 16 March, at 11:40 p.m., the SSPDF conducted airstrikes around the Nasir airstrip, killing 21 residents.[22][23][24] The day after the airstrike, information minister Michael Makuei Lueth ordered civilians to evacuate the military zone.[25] Around 3:30 a.m. on 19 March, additional airstrikes targeted the town, including the Nasir market, injuring two civilians.[26]

Airstrikes also occurred in the surrounding areas. The village of Mathiang in Longechuk County was stuck on 16 March, leaving one dead and eight injured.[27] On March 18, airstrikes occurred on the road between Akobo and Walgak.[28] One person was killed and 12 were wounded in Kuich, Ulang County, after airstrikes around 8:30 p.m. on 21 March.[29]

Political consequences

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In the aftermath of the clashes, several politicians associated with the SPLM-IO were put under house arrest. On 4 March, General Gabriel Duop Lam, the chief of staff for the SPLM-IO was arrested on unspecified charges, and around midnight on 5 March, Puot Kang Chol, the minister of petroleum, was also arrested in Juba.[30][31] SSPDF soldiers also surrounded the home of First Vice President Riek Machar.[32] On 6 March, Stephen Par Kuol, the minister of peacebuilding, was arrested in his office; he was released on the morning of 7 March.[33][34]

On 19 March, President Salva Kiir Mayardit appointed Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol as the governor of Upper Nile State, replacing James Odhok Oyai, who had been governor since 26 January 2023.[35]

Reactions

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The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) expressed concern over the clashes, urging the parties to reaffirm their commitment to the R-ARCSS peace agreement.[36]

On 9 March, the United States Department of State ordered all non-essential personal to leave South Sudan due to the clashes and increased political tension.[37] On 22 March, Germany announced that it would temporarily close its embassy in the country.[38]

References

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  1. ^ "SSPDF troops to be evacuated from Nasir". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  2. ^ "Airlifting of SSPDF troops in Nasir delayed". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  3. ^ "General among dozens killed in attack on UN helicopter evacuation in South Sudan". Reuters. 2025-03-07.
  4. ^ a b "UNMISS personnel killed and injured during attack on UN helicopter in Nasir, South Sudan". UNMISS. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  5. ^ "South Sudan: 50.000 people fleeing deadly conflict in Upper Nile". Norwegian People's Aid. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  6. ^ Bartlett, Kate (2025-03-22). "South Sudan is 'on the brink,' U.N. warns amid renewed violence". NPR. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  7. ^ Ramdiet, Gatluak (2025-02-15). "A town torn apart: Nasir's decade of death and despair". Radio Tamazuj. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  8. ^ "Several dead, scores injured in Nasir County as SSPDF and civilians clash". Radio Tamazuj. 2024-02-12. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  9. ^ "Government to send delegation to investigate Nasir fighting". Radio Tamazuj. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  10. ^ Mpuga, Douglas (2025-03-04). "South Sudan in Focus: South Sudan People's Defense Forces clash with armed civilians in Nasir town, scores killed". Voice of America. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  11. ^ "SSPDF, civilians in Nasir reached 'deadlock,' says governor". Radio Tamazuj. 2024-11-03. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  12. ^ "Four soldiers killed, civilians injured in Nasir clashes". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-02-15. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  13. ^ "UN calls for calm as violence flares in South Sudan". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  14. ^ "Fighting grips Nasir County, civilians flee". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-03. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  15. ^ "'White Army' claims control of Nasir town". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-04. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  16. ^ Chang, Koang (2025-03-05). "SPLM-IO: SSPDF Commander, soldiers to be airlifted from Nasir following agreement with White Army". Eye Radio. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  17. ^ "South Sudan: UN evacuation attempt disrupted by deadly shooting". BBC. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  18. ^ "Nasir commissioner warns of escalating crisis without aid". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-15. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  19. ^ "Uganda deploys troops in South Sudan as civil war fears grow". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  20. ^ Kainerugaba, Muhoozi [@mkainerugaba] (2025-03-10). "We the UPDF..."
  21. ^ Admini (2025-04-01). "UPDF Halts Fierce Attacks On White Army In South Sudan Following Museveni's Orders". The Insider. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  22. ^ "Bombing reported in Nasir, escalating tensions". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-17. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  23. ^ Holland, Hereward (2025-03-17). "Airstrike kills at least 19 in South Sudan town, residents say". Reuters.
  24. ^ "UPDATED: Airstrike kills 21 civilians in Nasir". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-17. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  25. ^ "South Sudan orders civilians to vacate a northern area as it battles an armed group". AP News. 2025-03-17. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  26. ^ "Nasir rocked by renewed aerial bombardments". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-19. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  27. ^ "Longechuk in panic as airstrike leaves 1 dead, 8 injured". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-17. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  28. ^ "Airstrikes hit Akobo amid rising tensions". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-18. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  29. ^ "One killed, 12 injured as army bombards Ulang: Official". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-22. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  30. ^ "South Sudan detains oil minister and military officials in threat to peace deal". Reuters. 2025-05-03.
  31. ^ "South Sudan arrest of Gabriel Doup Lam and Puot Kang Chol sparks fears over peace deal". BBC. 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  32. ^ "Army surrounds South Sudan vice president's home as his allies are arrested". AP News. 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  33. ^ "National Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol arrested by National Security". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  34. ^ "Peace minister freed from Juba detention". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  35. ^ "Kiir appoints new Upper Nile governor in breach of deal". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-19. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  36. ^ Djama, Mohamed (2025-03-05). "IGAD Calls for Restraint and Dialogue Amid Rising Tensions in Nasir County, South Sudan". IGAD. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  37. ^ "US orders nonemergency government staff to leave South Sudan as tension grows over fighting". AP News. 2025-03-09. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  38. ^ "Germany shuts South Sudan embassy amid civil war fears – DW – 03/22/2025". dw.com. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
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