Aerial Assault on UN Facility in Conflict-Ravaged Sudan Claims 6 UN Personnel
A drone strike targeted a United Nations facility in conflict-ridden Sudan on Saturday, leading to the loss of six UN soldiers, as stated by a statement.
The attack impacted a peacekeeping facility in the city of Kadugli, situated in the mid-country region of Kordofan.
8 additional soldiers were wounded in the assault. Each of the casualties are citizens of Bangladesh, deployed with the UN peacekeeping contingent in Abyei.
“Strikes aimed at United Nations peacekeepers could amount to war crimes under international law,” officials stated, urging the culprits for the “inexcusable” attack to be brought to justice.
Army Accuses Paramilitary Group
The national army blamed the attack on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a notorious militia that has been engaged in conflict with the government troops for control of the country for over 24 months.
The attack “demonstrates the rebellious nature of the paramilitary group and its supporters,” the army said in a communication.
Background of the Disputed Region
The resource-abundant Abyei is a disputed area between Sudan and its southern neighbor, and the United Nations contingent has been deployed there since 2011, when the south seceded from Sudan.
Demands for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan were also issued to allow “a comprehensive, inclusive and locally driven dialogue” to settle the war.
Nation Engulfed in Conflict Since 2023
Sudan was engulfed in chaos in April 2023 when a power struggle between the military and the RSF escalated into open fighting in the city of Khartoum and elsewhere the country.
- The conflict has taken tens of thousands, a figure human rights organizations consider a low estimate.
- Recent fighting has been concentrated in Kordofan, especially since paramilitary forces took control of El Fasher.
- The conflict has destroyed urban areas and has been noted for grave abuses, like systematic rape and ethnically motivated killings.
- These actions have been labeled international crimes by international bodies.
- The conflict has also created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis and forced parts of the country into famine.