Providing an update at the daily noon briefing, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told correspondents that the ‘blue helmets’ were killed, and nine others injured on Saturday when UNISFA’s logistics base was targeted in what the Mission described as a “horrific drone attack.”

It is unclear at this stage who carried out the strike, he added.

Sacrifice for peace

The ceremony in Abyei marked the official farewell to the fallen peacekeepers, whose remains will now be escorted back to Bangladesh.

UNISFA said their “sacrifice for peace would never be forgotten”, adding that the entire mission stands in grief with the families of the deceased and with the Government and people of Bangladesh.

The nine injured were evacuated from Kadugli to Abyei on the day of the attack and are receiving treatment at UNISFA’s hospital.

The mission said its top priority is to provide all necessary and appropriate medical care for those wounded.

UNISFA strongly condemned the attack, offering its most sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Bangladeshi authorities, while wishing a swift and complete recovery to the injured.

New protection measures

UNISFA added that it has taken all necessary steps to protect its personnel and facilities, including reinforcing protection measures at the Kadugli logistics base, and will continue to carefully assess the situation.

The Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Robert Yaw Affram, visited Kadugli on Monday.

UNISFA also reiterated the Secretary-General’s message delivered over the weekend, stressing that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and that those responsible must be held accountable.

The mission was established in 2011 and its mandate, recently extended for another year, includes strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service in the disputed oil-rich region, monitoring and verifying the redeployment of forces from the region, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and protecting civilians.

Nearly 4,000 military and police personnel serve, alongside civilian staff.