UNISFA says helicopter targeted in South Kordofan State

August 19, 2023 (ABYEI) – The United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) has expressed serious concerns over a recent attack that targeted its helicopter in the South Kordofan capital, Kadugli.

The incident, UNISFA said in a statement, occurred on August 10.

“The mission urgently calls on all parties to the conflict to exercise restraint and safeguard the safety of civilians and peacekeepers operating under the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM),” it reads in part.

The mission said it is deeply concerned about the firing and shelling with heavy weapon systems in Kadugli and surrounding areas, “resulting in valuable loss of lives and the gradual displacement of hundreds of civilians from their homes”.

It appealed to all the parties to the conflict to refrain from targeting civilians.

“We urge the warring factions to not target our peacekeepers as the JBVMM [Joint Border Verification Monitoring Mechanism] continues to carry out its mandated tasks in and around Kadugli and in our team sites in the fulfilment of the mandates set forth in the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) establishing JBVMM,” the statement stressed.

UNISFA appealed for immediate de-escalation of tensions and the protection of the rights and freedoms of the civilians, adding  “We urge all parties to embrace constructive dialogue that seeks peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict”.

Since June, violence has significantly increased in Kordofan, when the Abdel Aziz al-Hilu faction of the SPLM-N started fighting with the Sudanese army (SAF) in South Kordofan. Recent clashes have mainly centered in Kadugli and Dilling towns.

(ST)