Unmanned Strike on United Nations Facility in War-Torn Sudan Leaves Six Peacekeepers

A aerial bombardment struck a United Nations logistics base in war-torn Sudan on Saturday, leading to the demise of six peacekeeping personnel, according to a statement.

The attack occurred at a UN facility in the city of Kadugli, situated in the mid-country region of Kordofan.

8 other peacekeepers were injured in the attack. Each of the victims are from Bangladesh, serving in the UN peacekeeping contingent in Abyei.

“Attacks targeting United Nations personnel could amount to violations of international law under global statutes,” it was declared, calling for the perpetrators for the “inexcusable” attack to be prosecuted.

Military Blames Paramilitary Group

The national army assigned responsibility for the incident on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a notorious armed faction that has been engaged in conflict with the military for control of the country for more than two years.

The attack “shows the rebellious approach of the armed faction and those behind it,” the army said in a communication.

Context of the Disputed Region

The oil-rich Abyei is a contested area between Sudan and South Sudan, and the peacekeeping force has been deployed there since 2011, when the south gained its independence from Sudan.

Demands for an urgent halt to fighting in Sudan were also expressed to allow “a broad, all-encompassing and locally driven dialogue” to address the fighting.

Country Engulfed in Conflict Since 2023

Sudan was plunged into open war in April 2023 when a political rivalry between the army and the RSF escalated into full-scale combat in the national capital and other parts the country.

• The conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives, a number rights groups consider a low estimate.
• Recent combat has focused on Kordofan, especially since paramilitary forces took control of El Fasher.
• The conflict has wrecked towns and has been noted for horrors, such as widespread sexual violence and ethnically motivated killings.
• These crimes have been called crimes against humanity by international bodies.
• The conflict has also created the planet's most severe humanitarian disaster and pushed parts of the country into extreme hunger.