Drone Strike Kills Six Bangladeshi UN Peacekeepers in Sudan

On December 13, 2025, a drone strike targeted a United Nations logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, Sudan, resulting in the deaths of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injuries to eight others. The peacekeepers were part of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), a mission established to monitor the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, stating, "Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law." He emphasized the need for accountability and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to facilitate a comprehensive, inclusive, and Sudanese-owned political process.

The Sudanese military attributed the attack to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group engaged in conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023. The military described the incident as revealing "the subversive approach of the rebel militia and those behind it." The RSF has not issued a statement regarding the incident.

The Abyei region has been a point of contention between Sudan and South Sudan since the latter's independence in 2011. UNISFA was established to monitor the flashpoint border, facilitate humanitarian aid, and protect civilians. The mission comprises nearly 4,000 military and police personnel, alongside civilian staff.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war between the SAF and the RSF, leading to over 40,000 deaths and significant humanitarian crises, including mass displacement and famine, particularly in regions like Darfur and Kordofan. The conflict has been marked by atrocities, including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings, which the UN and rights groups have said amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The attack on UN peacekeepers may strain Sudan's relations with the international community, potentially leading to increased sanctions or diplomatic isolation. The United States recently imposed sanctions on a transnational network accused of exacerbating the war in Sudan by training and deploying former Colombian military personnel to fight alongside the RSF. Additionally, the United Kingdom sanctioned senior RSF commanders over their alleged involvement in mass killings and systematic sexual violence.

This incident underscores the volatility in the region and the challenges faced by international peacekeeping forces operating in conflict zones. The international community continues to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to negotiations to achieve a lasting peace in Sudan.