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Aid workers missing after South Sudan air strikes
An unknown number of humanitarian staff remain unaccounted for following overnight air strikes on a hospital operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in South Sudan's Jonglei state, the charity reported on Wednesday.
Hospital targeted near Ethiopian border
MSF stated that its facility in Lankien was struck by government forces during an aerial bombardment late Tuesday. The South Sudanese government has not yet responded to the allegations.
In a separate incident the same day, MSF's health center in Pieri-also located in Jonglei-was raided by unidentified attackers, rendering it inoperable for local residents.
"Our team members fled alongside the community, and their status and location remain unknown,"
MSF statement
Fighting escalates in Jonglei state
Renewed clashes between government troops and forces loyal to suspended First Vice-President Riek Machar have raised fears of a return to full-scale civil conflict in the country. Machar was removed from office after accusations of plotting to overthrow President Salva Kiir.
The United Nations estimates that 280,000 people have been displaced in Jonglei since December due to combat and aerial bombardments. The region, already facing severe food shortages and healthcare crises, is among the hardest-hit in South Sudan.
Medical supplies destroyed, services suspended
MSF revealed that it had evacuated patients and staff from Lankien hospital hours before the attack after receiving intelligence about a potential strike. One employee was injured, and the facility's main warehouse-containing critical medical supplies-was destroyed.
The organization noted that government forces are the only armed group in South Sudan capable of conducting air strikes. Lankien has been a focal point of recent hostilities between state troops and opposition fighters.
"The destruction of our warehouse means local communities will be left without any healthcare,"
MSF operations manager Gul Badshah
Humanitarian access restricted amid rising violence
MSF reported eight targeted attacks on its operations in South Sudan last year, resulting in the closure of two hospitals in Greater Upper Nile and the suspension of services in Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Central Equatoria states.
In December, the South Sudanese government imposed restrictions on humanitarian access in opposition-held areas of Jonglei, further limiting MSF's ability to deliver medical aid.
The conflict between Kiir and Machar's factions erupted in 2013, two years after South Sudan gained independence. A 2018 peace agreement ended a civil war that claimed nearly 400,000 lives, but the accord has never been fully implemented. Machar is currently on trial for murder, treason, and crimes against humanity, charges he denies.
