Drone Assault on UN Facility in War-Torn Sudan Claims 6 UN Personnel
A drone strike struck a United Nations compound in war-torn Sudan on Saturday, leading to the loss of six peacekeepers, per a statement.
The incident impacted a UN logistics base in the city of Kadugli, situated in the central region of Kordofan.
8 other soldiers were hurt in the strike. All the victims are Bangladeshi nationals, serving in the UN peacekeeping contingent in Abyei.
“Assaults against United Nations personnel could be violations of international law under global statutes,” officials stated, urging those responsible for the “unjustifiable” attack to be brought to justice.
Military Accuses Fighter Faction
The government forces assigned responsibility for the attack on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a well-known armed faction that has been at war with the military for dominance over the country for since April 2023.
The strike “clearly reveals the rebellious tactics of the paramilitary group and its backers,” the army said in a communication.
Background of the Disputed Area
The oil-rich Abyei is a claimed region between Sudan and South Sudan, and the peacekeeping force has been stationed there since 2011, when South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan.
Calls for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan were also issued to allow “a comprehensive, inclusive and nationally led peace process” to address the fighting.
Nation Plunged into Chaos Since 2023
Sudan was plunged into chaos in April 2023 when a political rivalry between the army and the RSF exploded into full-scale combat in the capital, Khartoum and across the country.
- The conflict has killed tens of thousands, a figure human rights organizations believe a major underestimate.
- Recent combat has been concentrated in Kordofan, especially since the RSF took control of El Fasher.
- The conflict has destroyed cities and has been marked by atrocities, like systematic rape and ethnically motivated killings.
- These crimes have been labeled crimes against humanity by global observers.
- The conflict has also caused the planet's most severe humanitarian crisis and pushed parts of the country into extreme hunger.
