Gunmen attack guard post of Darfur peacekeepers

October 14, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – Unknown gunmen attacked on Monday evening a military guard post of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Kutum, North Darfur, wounding one peacekeeper, the UNAMID said today.

The armed men carried out their attack at 09:45 pm local time. The UNAMID military guard post is located nearby a water point, about 1.5 kilometres northeast of the Mission’s team site at Kutum.

However the attackers had already escaped when 50 Sudanese army troops and UN force reached the guard post.

The injured peacekeeper was evacuated to the UNAMID hospital in Kutum and later to El Fashir where his condition is currently listed as stable.

The hybrid mission did not elaborated on wither the gunmen stole vehicles, arms or other properties.

The UNAMID condemned the attack against the peacekeepers saying its personnel “are in Darfur to protect civilians and assist in pushing the peace process forward.”

“The Mission stresses that any attack on Peacekeepers constitutes a war crime, and reiterates its readiness to thwart any act of violence targeting its personnel and facilities,” it further said.

(ST)