The United Nations has confirmed that helicopters carried out attacks in western Upper Nile State on Wednesday, as earlier reported by the SPLM/A-IO rebel group.
In press statements, the rebels said that they were attacked by government helicopters at their bases on the west bank of the Nile, near the state capital Malakal.
Stephane Dujarric, the Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, commented on Thursday, “In response to questions that were asked at the briefing on the situation in South Sudan, I can say that the UN Mission (UNMISS) is reporting that two attack helicopters were firing rockets in the direction of the west bank of the River Nile in Malakal in Upper Nile State yesterday.”
“Heavy explosions, including mortar shells, as well as heavy artillery and small arms fire were also heard coming from Malakal towards areas located on the west bank. UNMISS also reports instances of firing in Malakal earlier today.”
Areas on the west bank referred to by Dujarric have been under the control of opposition forces under General Johnson Olony since before the latest ceasefire came into effect. One rebel spokesman reported yesterday that some government ground troops since crossed the Nile into the area, though this has not been independently confirmed.
The UN peacekeeping mission has condemned these “violations” of the new peace agreement, according to Dujarric.
Related:
SPLA-IO accuses Kiir’s forces of aerial attacks (3 September)