On May 3, 2025, a bombing in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, South Sudan, resulted in at least seven deaths and 20 injuries, raising fears of a return to civil war.

The attack began around 4:30 AM when two helicopter gunships targeted the pharmacy of the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital, destroying it and injuring several individuals.

This hospital was the only functioning medical facility in Fangak County, which serves over 110,000 residents, and the bombing has severely compromised healthcare availability.

Rights organizations are urging the military to cease bombing civilian areas amidst the ongoing unrest, highlighting the urgent need for civilian protection.

The attackers remain unidentified, and their motivations are unclear, contributing to the escalating tensions in the region.

UN mission leader Nicholas Haysom warned that South Sudan is on the brink of returning to full-scale civil war due to rising conflicts between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar.

Machar's recent arrest in March 2025 for allegedly attempting to incite rebellion has heightened fears of renewed conflict.

Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has been plagued by civil conflict, resulting in approximately 400,000 deaths and millions displaced.

The bombing occurred shortly after army chief Paul Majok Nang threatened punitive action against rival groups, indicating a volatile political climate.

This incident marks the second attack on MSF facilities in a month, following an armed looting of a hospital in Upper Nile state.

A subsequent drone strike in Old Fangak further contributed to the casualties and healthcare challenges in the region.

Despite a peace deal in 2018 aimed at unifying armed factions, many groups remain loyal to various politicians, complicating the situation further.