Sudan Crisis: At least six UN peacekeepers were killed and seven others wounded after a drone strike hit a UN compound in Kadugli, the capital of Sudan’s South Kordofan province, according to Sudanese officials.
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out the attack, Xinhua news agency reported, but the RSF has denied responsibility. The SAF said the drone fired three missiles, which landed near the UN headquarters and the Bangladesh Battalion’s base. The strike also sparked a fire at a UN storage facility.
All those killed or injured were members of the Bangladesh Battalion serving with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, which operates in the disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan.
Sudan Crisis: Rapid Support Forces held responsible
Meanwhile, Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council strongly denounced the attack, calling it a grave breach of international humanitarian law. The Council said that targeting protected UN facilities is an extremely dangerous and criminal act. It placed full responsibility on the Rapid Support Forces and urged the United Nations and the international community to take concrete measures to safeguard humanitarian workers and UN installations.
Sudan Crisis: “There is an attempt to tarnish our image” says Rapid Support Forces
The Rapid Support Forces said they were not responsible for any airstrikes, describing the accusations as unfounded and intended to damage their reputation. The group claimed it has a “completely clean” record when it comes to attacks on international organizations and said it has previously cooperated in efforts to protect UN staff and humanitarian workers.
Sudan News: Conflict between SAF and RSF since April 2023
It is worth noting that a fierce conflict has been going on in Sudan between the SAF and the RSF since April 2023. Thousands of people have lost their lives in this conflict and millions have been forced to flee their homes.
