Tue Jun 03 07:08:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The article reports on the escalating violence in South Sudan, particularly the impact of airstrikes on civilians. It details the experiences of victims like Wiyuach Makuach, who lost her arm in a bombing of a Doctors Without Borders hospital. The fighting, triggered by clashes between the South Sudanese Army and militia groups, has led to numerous civilian casualties and warnings from the U.N. about a potential return to civil war. The government has not commented on civilian casualties and is blaming opposition forces for the attacks. Humanitarian organizations are struggling to provide aid amidst the ongoing conflict, with critical cases often unable to be transported to hospitals. The violence exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation in the Greater Upper Nile region, plagued by extreme weather, disease, and food insecurity.
**News Article:**
**South Sudan on the Brink as Airstrikes Claim Civilian Lives**
**Akobo, South Sudan – June 3, 2025** – South Sudan is teetering on the edge of renewed civil war as escalating violence between the national army and militia groups intensifies, leaving a trail of civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis in its wake. Airstrikes, in particular, are taking a devastating toll, with reports emerging of bombings targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals.
The dire situation is highlighted by the story of Wiyuach Makuach, 60, who lost an arm in an airstrike on a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in Fangak on May 3. “Everything was on fire,” Makuach recounted from her hospital bed in Akobo, where she is receiving treatment. Seven people were killed in the strike.
The South Sudanese Army claims it only targets combatants, but reports from aid groups and local witnesses paint a different picture. The fighting is also leading to massive displacement and a breakdown of essential services. The U.N. has issued warnings about the country’s proximity to a full-blown civil war.
Humanitarian organizations are struggling to cope with the influx of injured and displaced. Dr. Bjarte Andersen, a surgeon with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), reports difficulties in transporting critically wounded patients due to the ongoing conflict, resulting in preventable deaths.
The violence has been especially pronounced in the Greater Upper Nile region, already grappling with severe food insecurity, disease, and extreme weather. Residents fear further attacks, with many fleeing their homes at night seeking safety.
The conflict was sparked by a local militia attack in Nasir in March, which the government attributed to First Vice President Riek Machar, leading to his house arrest and a military offensive supported by Ugandan forces. The government has not officially claimed responsibility for the reported airstrikes. As the conflict intensifies, concerns are mounting about the long-term stability and humanitarian well-being of South Sudan.
First Piper 