Arop Jonchol
By Emmanuel Garjiek
The market of Nasir town remained closed after the shooting that took place late Tuesday evening, according to a resident in Nasir town who told these media that there was heavy gunfire towards the main market in the town.
The reports confirmed that the accident occurred around three o’clock, when the residents heard the heavy machine guns, like heavy artillery, twelve, zoo, and howitzers.
The elements of SSPDF were allegedly accused of being the ones shooting the guns. Nasir town has had a tense security situation since 14 February, when fighting broke out between the elements of the national army known as SSPDF and the armed civilian referred to as the white army.
The fighting resulted in the death of five civilians and left others injured. Since then, many have left the town deserted. Gatluak lew thiep Nasir County Commissioner Mondy morning said that the gunfire from the main market closure with a few shops remaining open, like restaurants and tea sellers run by women to provide food services.
Lew demonstrated that many traders had left the town since the last fighting between the parts, while others had returned; however, many abandoned their business following the recent shooting in the town.
“Initially, the gunfire was confined to the SSPDF barracks, but the soldiers later directed their weapons toward the market,” Gatluak said.
The shooting was intense, involving heavy machine guns and artillery such as Twelve, Zoo, and Howitzers.”He explained the shooting remained for the period of fifteen minutes as brief but terrifying.
Lew asserted that the reason for the shooting remains unclear. “The incident occurred at 3 pm and caused panic, forcing women to flee. People have been living in fear, especially with the SSPDF deploying forces toward Nasir,” Gatluak said.
“This morning, at 9 am, women running tea stalls and restaurants reopened, but the rest of the market remains closed.”According to Gatluak,
the situation has been calm since Monday, and he had the courage to encourage the local youth to remain peaceful. Nasir is a town located in the Upper Nile state of South Sudan, near the Ethiopian border.
It holds significant historical and strategic importance. During Sudan’s second civil war (1983–2005), Nasir was a key hub for Operation Lifeline Sudan, a United Nations-led relief effort. It also served as the base for a major splinter faction of the southern rebel army.
In 1991, rebel commander Dr. Riek Machar launched a breakaway movement from Nasir, known as the Nasir faction, which foreshadowed ethnic divisions within the liberation struggle.
Decades later, Nasir would again play a pivotal role during the South Sudanese Civil War, which began in December 2013. The town, predominantly inhabited by the Nuer ethnic group, became a battleground and experienced significant violence and displacement.Nasir’s history is marked by its strategic location on the Sobat River and its role in various conflicts and humanitarian efforts. The town has faced numerous challenges, including violence, displacement, and the need for humanitarian aid.
