Giving an update at the daily midday press briefing, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told correspondents that the “peacekeepers” were killed and nine others injured on Saturday when UNISFAThe Washington logistics base was the target of what the mission described as a “horrific drone attack.”
We do not yet know at this stage who led this strike, he added.
Sacrifice for peace
The ceremony in Abyei marked the official farewell of the fallen peacekeepers, whose remains will now be returned to Bangladesh.
UNISFA said their “sacrifice for peace will never be forgotten”, adding that the entire mission mourned alongside the families of the deceased and the government and people of Bangladesh.
The nine injured were evacuated from Kadugli to Abyei on the day of the attack and are being treated at the UNISFA hospital.
The mission said its top priority was to provide all necessary and appropriate medical care to the injured.
UNISFA strongly condemned this attack, extending its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the Bangladeshi authorities, while wishing a speedy and full recovery to the injured.
New protective measures
UNISFA added that it had taken all necessary measures to protect its personnel and facilities, including the strengthening of protective measures at the Kadugli logistics base, and would continue to carefully assess the situation.
The Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Robert Yaw-Afframvisited Kadugli on Monday.
UNISFA also reiterated the Secretary-General’s message book this weekend, emphasizing that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and that those responsible must be held accountable.
The mission was created in 2011 and his mandaterecently extended for one year, includes strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service in the disputed and oil-rich region, monitoring and verifying the redeployment of forces from the region, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and protecting civilians.
Nearly 4,000 soldiers and police are on duty, alongside civilian personnel.
We acknowledge The European Times for the information.
