6 Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in terrorist attack in Sudan
Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been killed in a terrorist attack in Sudan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Bangladesh reported today, Saturday, in a brief statement.
According to the ISPR, terrorists attacked a United Nations base in the Abeche area of Sudan. Six Bangladeshi Army peacekeepers were killed and eight others injured in the attack. Fighting with the terrorists is still ongoing.
Chief Adviser Expresses Condolences
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep sorrow and concern over the deaths and injuries of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Sudan.
In a statement issued tonight, the Chief Adviser said, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our six brave peacekeepers and the injury of eight others while carrying out the noble duty of establishing peace and stability. Bangladesh’s significant contribution to United Nations peacekeeping missions is internationally recognised; the sacrifice of these heroes is a source of both national pride and profound grief.”
He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He also wished a speedy recovery for the injured peacekeepers.
The Chief Adviser said that the United Nations has already been urged to urgently ensure the highest level of medical care and necessary assistance for the injured. He added that the government will stand by the families of the peacekeepers during this difficult time.
Condemning the terrorist attack in the strongest terms, the Chief Adviser said that attacks on peacekeepers constitute a grave crime against international peace and humanity. He called on the United Nations and the international community to take effective steps to further strengthen the security of peacekeepers.
The statement also noted that the Bangladesh government will continue close coordination with the United Nations to ensure the swift repatriation of the bodies of the deceased and proper treatment for the injured.
Drone Attack
AFP, citing hospital sources, reported that a United Nations facility in Kadugli, in Sudan’s Kordofan region, was attacked, killing six people.
Sudan’s army-backed government condemned the attack. In a statement, it blamed the anti-government paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the assault.
According to AFP, eyewitnesses said the UN building was attacked by drones.
In its statement, the Sovereignty Council led by Army Chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan described the attack as a “dangerous escalation.”
Famine was declared in Kadugli city in early November. The city has been under siege by the RSF for nearly a year and a half.
Kordofan is a vast agricultural region divided into three states. It lies between RSF-controlled Darfur to the west and army-controlled areas to the north, east, and central regions.
Kadugli’s location is strategically important for maintaining supply lines and troop movements.
Since April 2023, the paramilitary RSF has been fighting Sudan’s national army. The RSF has deployed fighters, drones, and allied militias across the region.
Analysts say the RSF is pursuing this strategy to breach the army’s defenses around central Sudan, paving the way to recapture Khartoum.
Allegations Against the RSF
According to the BBC, the RSF was formed in 2013, largely by the Janjaweed militias, which carried out brutal atrocities against rebels in Darfur. The group has been accused of genocide and ethnic cleansing against Black African, non-Arab communities in Darfur.
Later, Sudanese General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, transformed the RSF into a powerful force and currently leads it. The RSF has also been accused of intervening in conflicts in Yemen and Libya.
General Dagalo is alleged to control several gold mines in Sudan and to have smuggled gold to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Sudan’s army has accused the UAE of supporting the RSF and has also alleged that the UAE was involved in drone attacks—claims the oil-rich Gulf state has denied.
The Sudanese army has further accused eastern Libyan strongman General Khalifa Haftar of backing the RSF, alleging that he assisted in arms smuggling into Sudan and sent fighters to support the paramilitary force.