South Sudan’s army, following territorial losses in recent weeks, has announced a major military operation against opposition forces, raising fears for civilian safety. In a statement on Sunday, army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said Operation Enduring Peace would commence and ordered civilians to evacuate three counties in Jonglei state immediately. He directed aid groups to leave within 48 hours. Koang told The Associated Press on Monday that the operation aims to recapture towns recently seized by opposition forces and “reestablish law and order.” The announcement came a day after a senior army commander was filmed urging his troops to kill civilians and destroy property in the Jonglei offensive, drawing rebuke from the U.N. and others. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who chairs the African Union Commission, said he felt “deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in parts” of South Sudan. His statement also said Youssouf was “gravely alarmed by reports of inflammatory rhetoric and actions” that could incite violence against civilians.

Full report : What to know about South Sudan’s major offensive against opposition forces.