07/03/2025
UPDATE: Evacuation of SSPDF general from Nasir fails for second day
The evacuation of SSPDF General Majur Dak from Nasir has failed for the second consecutive day, despite some of his soldiers being airlifted to Malakal by the UN earlier today.
According to family sources, Major General Majur was supposed to be picked up on the second trip after the first batch of stranded soldiers was evacuated from Nasir, a town now under the control of the SPLM-IO-affiliated White Army militia. However, it remains unclear why the second evacuation attempt did not take place.
Major General Majur, who commanded SSPDF forces in Nasir, retreated with his troops to an old army barracks on the outskirts of the town after their base was overrun on Tuesday. Negotiations between SPLM-IO officials, county authorities, and SSPDF headquarters led to an agreement allowing the general and his remaining soldiers to be evacuated to Malakal.
On Wednesday, a UN helicopter attempted to carry out the evacuation but came under unexpected gunfire from the militia, forcing the mission to be aborted.
Today, the first successful evacuation flight transported 10 SSPDF soldiers to Malakal. However, General Majur refused to leave, insisting that all his remaining troops be airlifted first before he followed. He remained with 27 soldiers according to SPLM-IO spokesman Pal Mai. It is unclear why the second scheduled evacuation, which was supposed to include the general, did not proceed.
Family sources now tell Hot in Juba that another attempt to evacuate General Majur has been scheduled for Friday morning.