What Caused the Drone Attack on a UN Facility in Sudan?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Six UN peacekeepers lost their lives in a drone strike in Sudan.
- The SAF and RSF are engaged in a blame game.
- This incident highlights serious violations of international humanitarian law.
- The conflict in Sudan has left millions displaced.
- International action is needed to protect humanitarian missions.
Khartoum, December 14 (NationPress) - A tragic drone strike on a United Nations facility in Kadugli, the capital of Sudan's South Kordofan State, has led to the deaths of at least six UN peacekeepers and injured seven others, according to reports from Sudanese authorities.
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of executing the attack, a claim that the RSF has firmly refuted, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The SAF stated that the drone launched three missiles targeting the UN headquarters and the Bangladesh Battalion, causing a fire in a UN storage facility. All casualties were members of the Bangladesh Battalion, which operates under the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, a contested region between Sudan and South Sudan.
In another statement, Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, which supports the SAF, condemned the attack, labeling it an RSF drone strike on UN premises in Kadugli. They described the incident as a severe breach of international humanitarian law and the protections granted to UN facilities.
"Attacking a safeguarded UN site signifies a perilous escalation and constitutes criminal activity akin to an organized terrorist act," the council remarked, noting that such an assault endangers humanitarian and international missions.
The council held the RSF entirely accountable and called upon the United Nations and the global community to implement decisive actions to safeguard UN establishments and humanitarian personnel while ensuring accountability under international law.
The RSF maintained that their record is "completely clear" of attacks on international organizations, further emphasizing their past efforts to protect UN facilities and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers. They urged international bodies to verify information diligently.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a deadly conflict, with clashes erupting between the SAF and RSF, resulting in tens of thousands of fatalities and millions displaced both within and beyond its borders.