U.N. chief condemns deadly drone attack on peacekeepers in Sudan

December 13, 2025 (RIYADH) – The United Nations Secretary-General on Saturday “strongly condemned” a drone attack on a U.N. base in Sudan that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers, warning that the strike may constitute a war crime.

The attack targeted a logistics base for the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan state.

“Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law,” the Secretary-General said in a statement issued from Riyadh. “Attacks as the one today in South Kordofan against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability.”

The strike resulted in six fatalities and left eight others injured, all members of the Bangladeshi contingent. The U.N. said support is being provided to the wounded ahead of their evacuation.

Sudan’s army and sovereign council accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out the attack, describing it as a “terrorist act.” The RSF categorically denied responsibility, dismissing the allegations as “lies” and asserting its commitment to protecting humanitarian missions.

Sudan has been engulfed in conflict between the army and the RSF since April 2023. While UNISFA is primarily tasked with monitoring the disputed Abyei region on the border of Sudan and South Sudan, it maintains a logistics base in Kadugli.

The Secretary-General reiterated his call for the warring parties to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities.

“I reiterate my call on the warring parties… to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process,” the statement said.