Bangladeshi Peacekeepers Killed in Sudan Attack as Fighting Continues

Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving under the United Nations flag have been killed in a terrorist attack in Sudan, with fierce fighting still under way in the area, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate of Bangladesh. The attack, which took place at a UN base in the volatile Abyei region, has also left at least eight Bangladeshi soldiers injured.

In a brief statement issued on Saturday, ISPR confirmed that armed assailants launched a coordinated assault on the UN installation, targeting peacekeeping personnel stationed there. Bangladeshi troops, deployed as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission, came under sustained fire as clashes erupted between the attackers and peacekeepers. Efforts are ongoing to stabilise the situation and ensure the safety of remaining personnel.

Details of the Incident

National Mourning and Official Response

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, expressed profound sorrow and concern over the loss of life. In a statement released late on Saturday, he described the fallen soldiers as national heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out their noble duty of promoting peace and stability.

“The martyrdom of six brave peacekeepers and the injury of eight others during a UN mission has filled us with both pride and deep grief,” the Chief Adviser said. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the wounded. Professor Yunus also confirmed that Bangladesh has formally requested the United Nations to ensure the highest level of medical treatment and logistical support for the injured personnel.

Condemning the attack in the strongest possible terms, he stated that assaults on peacekeepers constitute grave crimes against international peace and humanity. He urged the United Nations and the wider international community to take decisive steps to strengthen the security of peacekeeping forces operating in conflict zones.

Drone Attack and Regional Context

According to the news agency AFP, citing hospital and eyewitness sources, the UN facility in Kadugli, located in Sudan’s Kordofan region, was struck by a drone attack. Sudan’s army-backed government has blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the assault, describing it as a “dangerous escalation” of the conflict.

The Kordofan region has been under severe strain for more than a year, with Kadugli effectively besieged by RSF forces. Famine was declared in the city in early November, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation. Strategically, Kadugli is vital for maintaining supply routes and troop movements between army-controlled territories and RSF-held areas, including Darfur.

Broader Conflict and Allegations

The RSF, formed in 2013 largely from the notorious Janjaweed militias, has long been accused of grave human rights abuses, particularly against non-Arab communities in Darfur. Led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, the group has been implicated in atrocities, regional destabilisation, and alleged foreign backing.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by intense fighting between the national army and the RSF. Analysts believe the latest attacks are aimed at breaking army defences in central Sudan to pave the way for a renewed push towards Khartoum.

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to United Nations peacekeeping and confirmed that it remains in close contact with the UN to repatriate the bodies of the fallen soldiers swiftly and ensure comprehensive care for the injured.