US condemns drone attack on Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Sudan

The United States strongly condemned the drone attack on a UN base in the Kadugli region of Sudan that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured eight others.

On Sunday (December 14), US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Masad Boulos said Saturday's attack was "a gross affront to international efforts to maintain peace and security." He stressed that warring parties should not target UN personnel and that hostilities must cease immediately. He also called for unhindered humanitarian access for all.

Clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continued during the attack. The Sudanese army blamed the RSF for the attack on the peacekeepers. The rebel group has not yet commented.

The peacekeepers were part of the United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA) and were deployed in the disputed oil-rich border area between Sudan and neighboring South Sudan.

UN chief Antonio Guterres also strongly condemned the attack. He said such attacks were "unprovoked and may amount to war crimes."

The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2013, has killed thousands and displaced millions. It is considered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.