Aerial Attack on United Nations Facility in Conflict-Ravaged Sudan Kills Six Peacekeepers

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

The strike targeted a peacekeeping outpost in the city of Kadugli, situated in the central region of Kordofan.

8 other soldiers were injured in the assault. Each of the victims are citizens of Bangladesh, serving in the United Nations mission in Abyei.

“Assaults targeting UN personnel may constitute violations of international law under international law,” officials stated, urging the perpetrators for the “unacceptable” strike to be held accountable.

Army Blames Fighter Group

The government forces blamed the strike on the paramilitary RSF group, a prominent paramilitary group that has been at war with the military for dominance over the country for over 24 months.

The strike “clearly reveals the subversive approach of the rebel militia and its backers,” the army said in a release.

Context of the Contested Region

The resource-abundant Abyei is a contested territory between Sudan and its southern neighbor, and the UN mission has been operating there since 2011, when the south became independent from Sudan.

Appeals for an swift truce in Sudan were also issued to allow “a comprehensive, inclusive and locally driven peace process” to settle the conflict.

Nation Plunged into Chaos Since 2023

Sudan was plunged into open war in April 2023 when a dispute for control between the military and the RSF turned into full-scale combat in the city of Khartoum and other parts the country.

• The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people, a figure human rights organizations consider a low estimate.
• Recent fighting has centred on Kordofan, especially since fighters took control of El Fasher.
• The conflict has destroyed cities and has been noted for grave abuses, such as systematic rape and ethnic slaughter.
• These acts have been labeled war crimes by global observers.
• The conflict has also caused the globe's most dire humanitarian disaster and pushed parts of the country into famine.