S Sudan evacuation flight 'fired on'

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

A US evacuation flight from South Sudan has been fired on, causing some injuries, say reports from Uganda, where the plane landed.

The aircraft was fired on in the town of Bor, which is occupied by forces loyal to former Vice-President Riek Machar, a Ugandan official said.

South Sudan has been in turmoil since President Salva Kiir accused Mr Machar a week ago of attempting a coup.

At least 500 people have been killed in clashes.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25476920

[Eugene]

1. U.S. confirms service members wounded in South Sudan

Source: Reuters

U.S. confirms service members wounded in South Sudan

WASHINGTON Sat Dec 21, 2013 8:40am EST

(Reuters) - Four U.S. military service members were wounded on Saturday when their aircraft was fired upon during a mission to evacuate American citizens in South Sudan, the U.S. military said.

"After receiving fire from the ground while approaching the site, the aircraft diverted to an airfield outside the country and aborted the mission," the military's Africa Command said in a statement.

The military initially said three service members were injured in the incident.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Vicki Allen)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/21/us-southsudan-unrest-aircraft-idUSBRE9BK07G20131221

[7962]

2. Apparently they were flying Ospreys, which means it was likely Marines who were injured

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_SOUTH_SUDAN_US?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-12-21-07-08-38

[tabasco]

3. They got any oil?

Might need to get in their and "secure" it for them.

[TwilightGardener]

4. I hope they recover OK. Two peacekeeper troops have been killed there this week--

not sure how many Americans are still there. Hopefully not a lot.

[Jesus Malverde]

5. 3 US MILITARY AIRCRAFT HIT IN S. SUDAN, 4 WOUNDED

Gunfire hit three U.S. military aircraft trying to evacuate American citizens in a remote region of South Sudan that on Saturday became a battle ground between the country's military and renegade troops, officials said. Four U.S. service members were wounded in the attack in the same region where gunfire downed a U.N. helicopter the day before.

The U.S. military aircraft were about to land in Bor, the capital of the state of Jonglei and scene of some of the nation's worst violence over the last week, when they were hit. The military said the four wounded troops were in stable condition.

The U.S. military said three CV-22 Ospreys - the kind of aircraft that can fly like a helicopter and plane - were "participating in a mission to evacuate American citizens in Bor." A South Sudan official said violence against civilians there has resulted in bodies "sprinkled all over town."

"After receiving fire from the ground while approaching the site, the aircraft diverted to an airfield outside the country and aborted the mission," the statement said. "The injured troops are being treated for their wounds." It was not known how many U.S. civilians are in Bor.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_SOUTH_SUDAN_US?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-12-21-07-08-38

More undeclared war making...

[Marrah_G]

11. We weren't the ones firing

Our tropps were just trying to get American citizens out. Not sure what you meant by your last sentence.

[alp227]

6. follow up BBC story

South Sudan rebel Riek Machar 'controls key state'

[Jesus Malverde]

7. Boots on the ground...

South Sudanese rebels blamed for attack on US military aircraft

Three US military aircraft attempting to evacuate American citizens from a remote region of South Sudan came under fire as gun battles raged between the country's military and rebel militia. Four US service personnel were wounded in the attack.

The aircraft were hit on Saturday while preparing to land in Bor, the capital of Jonglei state – scene of some of the nation's worst violence over the past week. A South Sudan official said violence against civilians there had resulted in bodies "sprinkled all over town".

The US military said three CV-22 Ospreys – aircraft that can fly like a helicopter and aeroplane – were "participating in a mission to evacuate American citizens in Bor". Gunfire had downed a UN helicopter in the state the day before. Following the attack, the US aircraft were diverted to Entebbe, Uganda, and the mission aborted. The injured personnel were flown to Nairobi, Kenya, on board a US air force C-17 transport plane for medical treatment, according to a military statement.

An official in the region, who insisted on anonymity, said the US military had not informed the rebel commander in Bor – General Peter Gadet, who defected from the South Sudan military this week – that they intended to land, which may have led to the attack. US statements said the gunfire came from unknown forces.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/22/us-aircraft-under-fire-south-sudan

[TwilightGardener]

8. Good news: They've been evacuated from Bor--

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/22/us-citizens-evacuated-south-sudan

[Tx4obama]

9. Letter From The President To Speaker Of The House and The President Pro Tempo of Senate

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 22, 2013

Text Of A Letter From The President To The Speaker Of The House Of Representatives And The President Pro Tempore Of The Senate

December 22, 2013

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:
In my report to the Congress of December 19, 2013, I provided information on the deployment of U.S. forces to support the security of U.S. personnel and our Embassy in South Sudan. I am providing this additional report, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), to help ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed on U.S. military activities in South Sudan.

On December 21, 2013, approximately 46 additional U.S. military personnel deployed by military aircraft to the area of Bor, South Sudan, to conduct an operation to evacuate U.S. citizens and personnel. After the aircraft came under fire as they approached Bor, the operation was curtailed due to security considerations, and the aircraft and all military personnel onboard departed South Sudan without completing the evacuation.
The purpose of this operation was to protect U.S. citizens, personnel, and property. As I monitor the situation in South Sudan, I may take further action to support the security of U.S. citizens, personnel, and property, including our Embassy, in South Sudan.

This action has been directed consistent with my responsibility to protect U.S. citizens both at home and abroad, and in furtherance of U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.
I appreciate the support of the Congress in these actions.

Sincerely,
BARACK OBAMA

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/12/22/text-letter-president-speaker-house-representatives-and-president-pro-te

U.S. may act again in South Sudan

HONOLULU — President Barack Obama told Congress on Sunday that he may take further military action to protect Americans in violence-plagued South Sudan.

In a letter to Congress, Obama said that about 46 U.S. troops were deployed Saturday to help evacuate Americans. That’s in addition to 45 troops deployed to reinforce the U.S. Embassy in Juba.

-snip-

Four U.S. troops were injured in the evacuation mission Saturday when gunfire hit three military planes. All four are in stable condition, the White House said.

Obama is on his annual vacation in Hawaii, but he said in the letter to congressional leaders that he’s monitoring the situation. Earlier Sunday, Obama was briefed by advisers on events in South Sudan following a meeting that his national security adviser, Susan Rice, held with national security aides and U.S. personnel still in South

-snip-

Full article here: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/south-sudan-military-action-101459.html

[freshwest]

10. 500 people... that's a lot. A civil war in progress. n/t

[NickB79]

12. A part of me wishes they returned fire

Shooting on transports full of civilians is the lowest form of humanity.

On the other hand, returning fire at vaguely defined targets could result in civilian casualties on the ground.

Ugh.