South Sudan Escalates Jonglei Conflict as Civilians Ordered to Flee

South Sudan’s army announced Operation Enduring Peace to recapture towns seized by opposition forces in Jonglei, ordering civilians in three counties to evacuate and aid groups to leave within 48 hours, while stressing that the country is not at war. The move comes amid renewed fighting, a controversial order by a commander to “spare no lives,” and UN alarm over the risk to civilians as Machar’s trial and the peace process remain contested.