UN condemns deadly drone attack on peacekeepers in Sudan

Abyei is a disputed area on the border of Sudan and South Sudan.

Drone attacks targeting a UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six peacekeepers and injured eight others. All the victims were members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The oil-rich Abyei region lies between Sudan and South Sudan and has remained contested since the two countries separated in 2011.

Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan state, has witnessed intense violence amid ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been at war for nearly three years.

Attacks against peacekeepers ‘unjustifiable’

UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned what he described as a “horrific” drone attack.

He offered his deepest condolences to the government and people of Bangladesh, as well as to the families of the fallen peacekeepers, and wished a swift recovery to those injured.

“Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law,” he said, reminding all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians.

“Attacks such as today’s in South Kordofan against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There must be accountability,” he added.

Renewed ceasefire appeal

The Secretary-General also expressed solidarity with thousands of peacekeepers serving under the UN flag in highly dangerous environments.

He reiterated his call on the warring parties to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities and to resume talks aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive, and Sudanese-owned political process.

Peacekeepers not a target

In a separate statement, the head of UN Peacekeeping said he was “shocked” by the drone attack.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix stressed that UN peacekeepers are not a target and warned that the attack may constitute a war crime.

UNISFA was established in 2011, and its mandate—recently extended for another year—includes supporting the Abyei Police Service, monitoring and verifying the redeployment of forces, facilitating humanitarian assistance, and protecting civilians.

Nearly 4,000 military and police personnel, along with civilian staff, currently serve with the mission.