Guterres Secretary-General Condemns Attack That Killed Six UN Troops in Sudan

JAKARTA - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday condemned the killing of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injuring eight others in South Sudan, saying the act may constitute a war crime.

"I strongly condemn the horrific drone attack targeting a logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, resulting in the death and injury of members of the Bangladeshi contingent of the United Nations peacekeeping force," Secretary-General Guterres said in a post on social media X, quoted from Anadolu (15/12).

"Attacks on UN peacekeepers like this are unjustifiable and may constitute a war crime. I remind everyone of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians. There will be accountability," said Secretary-General Guterres.

On that occasion, the UN Secretary-General also expressed condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers and the government and people of Bangladesh.

Earlier, Bangladesh's interim government chief Muhammad Yunus condemned Saturday's attack as a serious crime against "international and humanitarian peace."

The attack comes amid an ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebels, which began in April 2023 and has killed thousands of people in Sudan as well as displaced millions.

The Sudanese army blamed the RSF for the attack, saying it "clearly shows the subversive approach of the rebel militias and those behind them."

There was no immediate comment from RSF on the attack.

Yunus' official statement said six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed and eight others were wounded in a "drone attack by terrorists" on a UN base in Abyei, southern Sudan.

Yunus expressed his shock at the incident, saying: "The UN has been asked to take urgent action to ensure the highest level of medical care and assistance needed for the injured peacekeepers."

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It is known that the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) peacekeeping mission was deployed in 2011.

The oil-rich Abyei Administrative Region is administered by Sudan and neighboring South Sudan - which declared independence in 2011 - with both countries claiming interests and have been engaged in conflict for years.

UNISFA's mandate itself was only renewed last month.