The United Nations has strongly condemned a deadly drone attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Sudan that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers, warning that such assaults may constitute war crimes under international law. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep shock and sorrow over the incident and called for accountability for those responsible.
In a statement posted on social media platform X on Sunday (14 December), Guterres said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of Bangladeshi peacekeepers who were killed and injured in the drone strike on a UN base in Kadugli, located in Sudan’s Abyei region. He stressed that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers are completely unacceptable and may amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law.
“The targeting of United Nations peacekeepers is unjustifiable,” Guterres said. “All parties are reminded of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians. Accountability for this attack must be ensured.”
The UN chief also extended his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the fallen Bangladeshi peacekeepers and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He paid tribute to Bangladesh’s long-standing commitment and sacrifices in UN peacekeeping missions around the world.
Bangladesh’s interim government also condemned the attack. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus described the incident as a “grave crime against global peace and humanity,” expressing profound respect for the bravery and dedication of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag.
The drone attack took place on Saturday at a base of the Bangladeshi contingent serving with the UN peacekeeping mission in Kadugli. The six Bangladeshi nationals killed in the attack were identified as Corporal Md. Masud Rana, Soldier Md. Mominul Islam, Soldier Shamim Reza, Soldier Shanto Mondol, mess waiter Jahangir Alam, and laundry worker Md. Sobuj Mia. Several others were reportedly injured in the strike.
Following the incident, Sudan’s military-backed government blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for carrying out the attack. In an official statement, Sudan’s army chief and head of government, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, described the strike as a “dangerous escalation” of the ongoing conflict. The RSF, however, has not issued any official response to the allegation so far.
Sudan has been gripped by a brutal civil war since April 2023, triggered by a power struggle between the national army and the RSF. Despite international concern and repeated mediation efforts, the conflict has continued for more than two and a half years. Thousands of civilians have been killed, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced from their homes, particularly in Khartoum, Darfur, and other conflict-affected regions.
The latest attack on UN peacekeepers has intensified global concern over the safety of international missions operating in Sudan and underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire and a political resolution to the conflict.
Source: Anadolu Agency
