Evidence shows UN helicopter “shot down” in S. Sudan
September 9, 2014 (JUBA) – The United Nations helicopter, which recently crashed in South Sudan’s Unity state was shot down, initial evidence from a probe in to the incident shows.
Three Russian crewmen were killed and another injured prompting the UN mission in the country to conduct preliminary investigations into circumstances surrounding the crash of the Mi-8 helicopter.
Experts from the UN, South Sudan and Russia are reportedly involved in technically investigating the crash soon after the 26 August incident.
“UNMISS [UN Mission in South Sudan] has confirmed that, during a phone call with a mission’s staff member in Bentiu on 17 August, Peter Gadet, the commander of opposition forces in Unity State, alleged that UNMISS aircraft were being used to transport Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) troops and threatened to shoot down the mission’s aircraft,” the UN said in a statement issued Tuesday.
“The UNMISS staff member refuted the accusations and, to ensure the safety of its aircraft, UNMISS immediately started sharing information on all its flights into Bentiu with the opposition forces as well as the SPLA,” it adds.
No side has, however, been blamed for shooting down the helicopter.
Bentiu has changed hands several times between government and opposition forces since fighting started in the country late last year.
The UN mission, in its statement, condemned in the strongest terms the “unprovoked” and “deadly” attack on its personnel and aircraft.
“As the Security Council emphasized, those responsible for the attack must be held accountable and all necessary measures to avoid such attacks in the future must be taken,” it noted.
(ST)