Drone Strike in Sudan Kills Six UN Peacekeepers, Wounds Eight

A drone strike has hit a United Nations peacekeeping logistics base in war-torn Sudan, killing six peacekeepers and wounding eight others, the UN secretary general António Guterres announced. The attack occurred on Saturday in the city of Kadugli in the central region of Kordofan, where a UN interim security force for Abyei (Unisfa) is stationed. All the victims are Bangladeshi nationals serving with the peacekeeping force. According to Guterres, the attack on the UN base is "unjustifiable" and could constitute a war crime under international law. He called for those responsible to be held accountable, stating that "attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law." The UN secretary general emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the incident. The attack comes as tensions between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to escalate. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has been accused of carrying out several attacks on civilians and peacekeepers in recent months. On Saturday, a rally in support of the Sudanese Army and against the RSF was held in the capital city of Khartoum, highlighting the deepening divisions within the country. The UN has been operating in Sudan since 2007, with a peacekeeping mission aimed at stabilizing the country and protecting civilians. The mission has been critical in maintaining a fragile peace in the region, particularly in the disputed Abyei area. The attack on the UN base is a stark reminder of the risks faced by peacekeepers and civilians in conflict zones. The international community has condemned the attack, with the European Union and the African Union issuing statements calling for restraint and an end to violence. The United States has also expressed its concern over the incident, with a State Department spokesperson stating that "we are deeply disturbed by reports of the attack on the UN peacekeeping base in Kadugli." The UN has launched an investigation into the incident, with Guterres vowing to hold those responsible accountable. The attack has raised concerns about the safety of peacekeepers and civilians in Sudan, and the need for a sustained international effort to bring peace and stability to the region.