UN chief condemns drone attacks on peacekeeping base in Sudan

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday strongly condemned the drone attacks that targeted the UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, earlier in the day.

The attacks resulted in six fatalities and eight injuries -- all members of the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, the UN chief said in a statement.

Guterres expressed his "deepest and heartfelt condolences" to the government and people of Bangladesh and to the families of the fallen peacekeepers, and wished a swift recovery to the injured.

"Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and I remind all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians," he said. "There will need to be accountability."

In the statement, the UN chief reiterated the call on the warring parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process.

The Sudanese Armed Forces have accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out the strike, a claim the RSF has denied. Enditem