Two UN peacekeepers killed in ambush in South Sudan
Two UN peacekeepers were killed and seven people wounded when a patrol was ambushed near Padjut in Jonglei state.
Armed attackers ambushed a United Nations patrol en route to a remote area in South Sudan yesterday, killing two UN peacekeepers and wounding seven others, the UN mission in the country said.
According to the mission, the seven injured include three peacekeepers, two members of the South Sudan police and two civilian staff. The two killed and three of the wounded were citizens of Ethiopia, the UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
UNMISS said it dispatched quick-reaction forces to secure the area and assist the emergency response after the ambush. The patrol was moving toward the Padjut area in Jonglei state when it came under fire.
Attackers not yet identified
“Such deadly violence directed against UNMISS personnel, who serve to support peace in South Sudan, is unacceptable,” said Anita Kiki Gbeho, head of the mission.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Attacks on UN peacekeepers are relatively rare even though widespread violence continues across the country.
With the killing of the two Ethiopian peacekeepers, the number of UN personnel killed by militias in South Sudan this year has risen to nine. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate investigation and prosecution of those responsible, warning that the attacks could amount to war crimes. The violence has intensified since the collapse of the peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar, and the United States has urged an urgent resumption of dialogue to avert a return to full-scale civil war.
Photo: EPA/RICKY GARE *** Local Caption *** 00580407
