Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in drone attack on UN base in southern Sudan

Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed and eight others injured after a drone attack targeted a United Nations base in Abyei, southern Sudan, Bangladesh’s interim government has confirmed.

In a statement on Saturday, interim head of government Muhammad Yunus described the incident as a “terrorist” attack and expressed deep shock over the loss of lives. He said Bangladesh had requested the United Nations to ensure urgent and comprehensive medical care for the injured personnel.

“The United Nations has already been requested to take urgent measures to ensure the highest level of medical treatment and necessary assistance to the injured peacekeepers,” Yunus said.

Bangladesh’s army earlier reported that the attack occurred in the disputed Abyei region and noted that clashes were still ongoing at the time of the statement. There was no immediate response from the UN mission regarding the incident.

The peacekeepers were serving with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), which was established in 2011 to monitor security in the volatile border area.

Abyei, an oil-rich region claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, has long been a flashpoint for violence and political tension. The UNISFA mandate was renewed last month amid continued instability in the area.

Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide, and the attack marks one of the deadliest incidents involving its troops in recent years.