UNAMID peacekeepers repulse attack on patrol team in North Darfur

July 18, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said its troops had repelled an attack by unknown gunmen on a patrol team in North Darfur.

“Unidentified armed men aboard a gun-mounted vehicle opened fire on a UNAMID patrol team between Bowa and Turmes villages, 18 kilometres north-west of the Mission’s team site in Kutum, North Darfur,” said the mission in a press release on Saturday.

According to the press release, the patrol team comprised of 39 peacekeepers, was on its way back to the team site after escorting a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy.

It pointed out that the team returned fire till the perpetrators dispersed and ran away, saying no damage was recorded to UNAMID personnel or property and the incident has been reported to the local authorities.

The press release stressed that UNAMID remains committed to providing assistance to humanitarian actors throughout Darfur, in accordance with its mandate.

UNAMID troops are usually attacked by outlaws and marauders in Darfur who seek to carjack the mission’s vehicles or kidnap peacekeepers for ransom.

The hybrid mission has been deployed in Darfur since December 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in the western Sudan’s region.

It is the world’s second largest international peacekeeping force with an annual budget of $1.35 billion and almost 20,000 troops.

(ST)