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2025 Nasir clashes
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2025 Nasir clashes
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. Tensions between the town's garrison and local forces, heightened by the arrival of government-backed militia, led the White Army to overrun the army barracks. During an attempt to evacuate the remaining SSPDF troops, helicopters belonging to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan came under fire, resulting in significant casualties.
In response, the government of South Sudan and Ugandan forces conducted airstrikes on villages in Nasir, Longechuk, and Ulang counties. With the cooperation of local leaders, the SSPDF peacefully retook Nasir on 20 April 2025.
The clashes have had major political consequences, leading to the arrest of dozens of politicians affiliated with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO)—which the government accuses of supporting the Nuer White Army—and raised concerns that the country might return to civil war. The First Vice President of South Sudan and leader of the SPLA-IO, Riek Machar, was stripped of his authority and placed on trial due to charges relating to the clashes.
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, and was retaken by SPLA-IO forces in July 2014.
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. 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. 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. The government stated that no NUF were available, instead deploying Shilluk Agwelek Forces and Padang Dinka militia to Nasir. These groups were perceived as hostile by the local Nuer, and their barges were fired upon by White Army members as they traveled to Nasir on 22 February.
Around 4 p.m. on 3 March, a White Army member was killed by the SSPDF, sparking clashes which continued until Tuesday evening. White Army members secured the town of Nasir as well as occupying part of the Wec Yar Adiu army barracks located around 3 km (2 mi) west of the town before retreating due to a shortage of ammunition. The barracks were captured by a renewed White Army on 4 March. 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. When the two helicopters arrived, an exchange of fire with the White Army led to the death of one of the UNMISS helicopter operators, 27 SSPDF soldiers, and the commander of the garrison, Majur Dak. In the aftermath of the evacuation attempt, the remaining SSPDF soldiers fled to surrounding areas, with 15 soldiers going to Ulang County.
The fall of the garrison resulted in the capture or destruction of SSPDF military equipment valued at US$58.7 million, including mortar units, 557 AK-47 rifles, and 7 armoured personnel carriers.
In response to the clashes, Uganda deployed special forces to Juba on 9 March. 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!" Muhoozi ordered the UPDF to halt its attacks on 1 April.
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2025 Nasir clashes
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. Tensions between the town's garrison and local forces, heightened by the arrival of government-backed militia, led the White Army to overrun the army barracks. During an attempt to evacuate the remaining SSPDF troops, helicopters belonging to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan came under fire, resulting in significant casualties.
In response, the government of South Sudan and Ugandan forces conducted airstrikes on villages in Nasir, Longechuk, and Ulang counties. With the cooperation of local leaders, the SSPDF peacefully retook Nasir on 20 April 2025.
The clashes have had major political consequences, leading to the arrest of dozens of politicians affiliated with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO)—which the government accuses of supporting the Nuer White Army—and raised concerns that the country might return to civil war. The First Vice President of South Sudan and leader of the SPLA-IO, Riek Machar, was stripped of his authority and placed on trial due to charges relating to the clashes.
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, and was retaken by SPLA-IO forces in July 2014.
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. 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. 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. The government stated that no NUF were available, instead deploying Shilluk Agwelek Forces and Padang Dinka militia to Nasir. These groups were perceived as hostile by the local Nuer, and their barges were fired upon by White Army members as they traveled to Nasir on 22 February.
Around 4 p.m. on 3 March, a White Army member was killed by the SSPDF, sparking clashes which continued until Tuesday evening. White Army members secured the town of Nasir as well as occupying part of the Wec Yar Adiu army barracks located around 3 km (2 mi) west of the town before retreating due to a shortage of ammunition. The barracks were captured by a renewed White Army on 4 March. 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. When the two helicopters arrived, an exchange of fire with the White Army led to the death of one of the UNMISS helicopter operators, 27 SSPDF soldiers, and the commander of the garrison, Majur Dak. In the aftermath of the evacuation attempt, the remaining SSPDF soldiers fled to surrounding areas, with 15 soldiers going to Ulang County.
The fall of the garrison resulted in the capture or destruction of SSPDF military equipment valued at US$58.7 million, including mortar units, 557 AK-47 rifles, and 7 armoured personnel carriers.
In response to the clashes, Uganda deployed special forces to Juba on 9 March. 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!" Muhoozi ordered the UPDF to halt its attacks on 1 April.