Drone Attack on United Nations Base in War-Torn Sudan Kills 6 Peacekeepers
A aerial bombardment hit a United Nations compound in conflict-ridden Sudan on Saturday, resulting in the demise of six peacekeepers, according to a statement.
The strike impacted a UN logistics base in the city of Kadugli, found in the mid-country region of Kordofan.
Eight other soldiers were hurt in the attack. Each of the victims are Bangladeshi nationals, deployed with the UN interim security force for Abyei (Unisfa).
“Attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute violations of international law under global statutes,” officials stated, demanding those responsible for the “unjustifiable” attack to be brought to justice.
Army Points Finger at Paramilitary Group
The government forces blamed the incident on the RSF fighters, a notorious paramilitary group that has been fighting with the government troops for power in the country for over 24 months.
The attack “demonstrates the rebellious tactics of the paramilitary group and its supporters,” the army said in a statement.
Context of the Disputed Area
The oil-rich Abyei is a disputed area between Sudan and its southern neighbor, and the peacekeeping force has been deployed there since 2011, when the south gained its independence from Sudan.
Demands for an swift truce in Sudan were also made to allow “a comprehensive, inclusive and locally driven political process” to settle the fighting.
Nation Plunged into Chaos Since 2023
Sudan was thrown into widespread violence in April 2023 when a dispute for control between the military and the RSF turned into direct clashes in the city of Khartoum and elsewhere the country.
- The conflict has taken more than 40,000 people, a number advocates regard as a significant undercount.
- Recent combat has been concentrated in Kordofan, notably since the RSF seized El Fasher.
- The conflict has devastated cities and has been noted for horrors, including widespread sexual violence and ethnic slaughter.
- These acts have been labeled international crimes by international bodies.
- The war has also created the world’s worst humanitarian disaster and forced parts of the country into starvation.
