UNAMID peacekeepers attacked in Darfur
November 11, 2008 (EL FASHER) – Nigerian peacekeepers were ambushed on Sunday in West Darfur, wounding a peacekeeper, and on the same day attackers shot at a humanitarian vehicle, wounding the driver in the left hand, according to a spokesman for the peacekeepers.
The UN – African Union hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) is tasked with protecting civilians and humanitarian workers, but it has come under attack.
At 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, the Nigerian Protection Force Company stationed at the Geneina Super Camp in West Darfur was ambushed by a group of unknown men armed with Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and AK-47 assault rifles, in the vicinity of the “supercamp” base.
The patrol returned fire in self-defense and one peacekeeper was injured in the arm during the ensuing firefight, while a UNAMID vehicle was stolen by the attackers.
The wounded soldier was evacuated at 10:15 p.m. from El Geneina to a medical facility in El Fasher, North Darfur, where he was admitted for treatment and listed in stable condition.
UNAMID called that attack “unprovoked and dastardly attack,” and said that it will not deter the mission from pursuing its operations and peacekeeping mandate, which was opposed by the government of Sudan when the UN Security Council authorized the mission.
The mission stated that it is investigating the attacks and “reminds all parties that attacks against Peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.”
Further to the east in West Darfur, three armed men in civilian clothing shot at a UN vehicle, wounding the driver on the left hand, reported UNAMID.
The vehicle belonged to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. It was attacked in Zalingei, West Darfur.
The driver was taken to the hospital for treatment. The vehicle was later recovered by Government of Sudan Police on the same day.
By October of this year, at least 208 humanitarian vehicles have been hijacked and 155 aid workers abducted, with 43 World Food Program-contracted drivers still unaccounted for, according to the UN Secretary General.
(ST)