A new United Nations report has revealed a sharp rise in civilian casualties in South Sudan amid ongoing armed clashes. Between April and June 2025, at least 438 civilians were killed or injured, marking a 204 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
The report, published by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s (UNMISS) Human Rights Division, notes that violence involving both conventional parties to the conflict and other armed groups was the second leading cause of civilian harm nationwide, accounting for 30 percent of incidents and 29 percent of victims.
“This alarming surge in violence is largely driven by the localized conflict between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the White Army militia in Nasir, Upper Nile, which has escalated into tensions across the country,” the report states.
In total, UNMISS recorded 334 incidents of conflict-related violence in the second quarter of 2025, affecting 1,518 civilians, including 198 women and 155 children.
Compared to the same period in 2024, fatalities increased by 44 percent, from 442 to 635, while injuries more than doubled, rising from 297 to 676.
The report also highlights serious concerns over alleged indiscriminate aerial bombardments in civilian-populated areas, which violate international humanitarian law.
UNMISS has called on all parties to the conflict to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, and urged the government to protect civilians, investigate alleged violations, and hold perpetrators accountable.
UNMISS cautioned that the actual number of victims is likely higher, noting that access to some conflict hotspots remains severely restricted.
