Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers have lost their lives in a drone attack on a UN base in Sudan
Bangladesh claims that a drone strike on a UN base in Sudan’s disputed Abyei area resulted in the deaths of six of its troops and the injuries of eight.
Bangladesh’s military forces have confirmed that a drone attack on a United Nations base in the disputed Abyei region bordering Sudan and South Sudan on Saturday killed at least six of its peacekeepers and injured eight others.
The military claimed in a statement on Sunday that separatist armed groups had attacked the Kadugali Logistics Base, which is part of the UN peacekeeping effort in Abyei. The army’s public relations department reports that the drone strike took place between 3:40 and 3:50 p.m. local time.
In the unstable border region, where tensions have lasted for years, Bangladesh has maintained a long-standing presence and is one of the biggest donors to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. According to military authorities, rescue attempts for individuals impacted by the strike and medical care for the injured are still ongoing.
António Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, strongly denounced the attack, calling it unacceptable and perhaps a war crime. Guterres wished the injured a quick recovery and offered his condolences to the families of the departed peacekeepers in a statement that was posted on X. He further emphasized that protecting civilians and UN employees is a duty imposed by international law on all parties.
“Attacks like this one against UN peacekeepers are unacceptable and could be considered war crimes.” He remarked, “I remind everyone of their responsibility to protect civilians and UN personnel.”
Since South Sudan separated from Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil strife, Abyei has continued to be a hot spot. Despite the secession, the two nations were unable to come to a consensus over the status of a number of disputed regions, such as Abyei, which is claimed by both parties and has regularly seen violent outbursts.
As the UN continues to work to stabilize the region and stop further escalation between Sudan and South Sudan, the most recent attack highlights the increasing security dangers faced by troops stationed there.
