A drone strike on a United Nations facility in Kadugli, Sudan, resulted in the deaths of six peacekeepers on Saturday. The attack, attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), also left eight others injured, all of whom were Bangladeshi nationals serving with the UN interim security force for Abyei (Unisfa).

Details of the Attack
The drone strike targeted a peacekeeping logistics base located in Kadugli, situated in the central Kordofan region. UN Secretary-General António Guterres confirmed the fatalities and condemned the assault as "unjustifiable." He emphasized that attacks on UN peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law and called for accountability for those responsible.

Sudanese Military Response
In response to the attack, the Sudanese military accused the RSF, a paramilitary group engaged in a prolonged conflict with the military for control of Sudan, of carrying out the strike. The military released a video on social media purportedly showing smoke rising from the UN facility, further asserting that the attack reflects the "subversive approach" of the RSF.

Context of Ongoing Conflict
The conflict in Sudan escalated in April 2023, following a power struggle between the military and the RSF, leading to widespread violence in the capital, Khartoum, and other regions. The fighting has claimed over 40,000 lives, according to rights groups, which believe this figure may be a significant undercount. The conflict has particularly intensified in Kordofan, especially after the RSF seized control of El Fasher, the military's last stronghold in Darfur.

Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing war has devastated urban areas and is marked by severe human rights violations, including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings, which have been characterized as war crimes by the UN and various rights groups. The conflict has also precipitated the world's worst humanitarian crisis, pushing parts of Sudan into famine.

Call for Ceasefire
Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate a comprehensive and inclusive political process led by Sudanese stakeholders to resolve the ongoing conflict. The UN mission in Abyei has been active since 2011, following South Sudan's independence from Sudan, and continues to face significant challenges amid the escalating violence.

Wrap-up
The drone strike on the UN facility underscores the grave dangers faced by peacekeepers in conflict zones and highlights the urgent need for international efforts to stabilize Sudan. The situation remains critical as the humanitarian crisis deepens and calls for accountability grow louder.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team