Aerial Strike on United Nations Compound in War-Torn Sudan Leaves Six UN Personnel

A aerial bombardment targeted a United Nations compound in conflict-ridden Sudan on Saturday, resulting in the loss of six UN soldiers, per a statement.

The incident targeted a UN facility in the city of Kadugli, found in the central region of Kordofan.

8 other peacekeepers were wounded in the attack. All the victims are citizens of Bangladesh, part of the United Nations mission in Abyei.

“Attacks aimed at United Nations peacekeepers could be violations of international law under global statutes,” it was declared, urging the perpetrators for the “inexcusable” attack to be held accountable.

Military Blames Paramilitary Group

The Sudanese military assigned responsibility for the strike on the RSF fighters, a prominent militia that has been at war with the army for control of the country for over 24 months.

The attack “clearly reveals the rebellious nature of the rebel militia and its supporters,” the army said in a communication.

Background of the Contested Region

The resource-abundant Abyei is a claimed territory between Sudan and its southern neighbor, and the United Nations contingent has been deployed there since 2011, when the south seceded from Sudan.

Demands for an swift truce in Sudan were also issued to allow “a wide-ranging, inclusive and locally driven dialogue” to address the fighting.

Nation Plunged into Conflict Since 2023

Sudan was thrown into open war in April 2023 when a dispute for control between the army and the RSF escalated into full-scale combat in the national capital and across the country.

• The fighting has taken more than 40,000 people, a figure human rights organizations believe a significant undercount.
• Recent fighting has been concentrated in Kordofan, notably since paramilitary forces took control of El Fasher.
• The war has destroyed urban areas and has been noted for grave abuses, including widespread sexual violence and ethnic slaughter.
• These acts have been called war crimes by global observers.
• The conflict has also created the globe's most dire humanitarian disaster and forced parts of the country into extreme hunger.