Residents of Nyirol County in Jonglei State fled their homes on Tuesday morning after airstrikes targeted Langkien, the county headquarters, forcing local markets to remain closed for the day.
The reason for the aerial bombardment on the SPLA-IO-controlled town remains unclear, but tensions have recently risen in the area following the announced defection of a group of SPLA-IO forces to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Pading, Nyirol County.
SPLA-IO has also accused government forces of supplying arms to Pading.
Eyewitnesses told Radio Tamazuj that Langkien was largely deserted after the airstrikes as civilians stayed away, fearing further attacks.
John Both Reat, a Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS) clergy in Langkien, said that the town was largely deserted as civilians stayed away for fear of further attacks.
“On Monday at 2 p.m., a gunship hovered over Langkien but left without striking. This morning at 10 a.m., it returned and dropped several bombs near the airstrip,” Both said. “Civilians ran for their lives, and the market remained closed all day.”
Both added that some residents were beginning to return home, but several children were still missing after being separated from their parents during the strikes. “Mothers are moving around searching for their children,” he said.
Peter Gatkuoth Koang, the SPLM-IO-appointed county commissioner, confirmed the airstrikes but said he was away from the town when they occurred. “The airstrikes happened this morning. I have not yet arrived in Langkien to gather full details,” he said.
Civil society activist Ter Manyang Gatwech, executive director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, urged South Sudan’s political leaders to prioritize dialogue over violence.
“What do our leaders want? If people are finished, whom will they rule?” he said. “These airstrikes are unacceptable. Peace and dialogue must be given a chance. Who is the government supporting when fighting involves rival SPLA-IO factions?”
SSPDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang could not immediately be reached for comment.
The airstrikes in Nyirol, one of the Lou Nuer areas in Jonglei, follow similar strikes in neighboring Uror County after clashes between rival SPLA-IO and SPLA-IO Kitgwang factions.