UN Peacekeepers Ambushed in Darfur, 3 Killed and 6 Injured
At least three United Nations peacekeepers were killed and six others injured in an ambush in a camp for displaced people in Sudan's troubled Darfur region. The attack occurred on Monday night in the Zam Zam camp in North Darfur while the peacekeepers were on patrol. The security unit came under attack by unidentified armed men, and one of the assailants was also killed. The incident is a reminder of the dangers faced by UN peacekeepers in Darfur, one of the most volatile regions in the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Three UN peacekeepers were killed in an ambush in the Zam Zam camp in North Darfur, while six others were injured.
- The attack occurred on Monday night while the peacekeepers were on a "confidence-building patrol".
- The security unit came under attack by unidentified armed men, and one of the assailants was also killed.
- The peacekeeping mission in Darfur is the world's largest, with 20,000 authorized troops.
- Since the mission began in 2008, 33 peacekeepers have been killed.
- The region remains a tinderbox, with at least 300,000 people killed and 2.7 million others driven from their homes due to fighting between Sudanese rebel groups and the Khartoum government.
- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack, appealing to the Sudanese authorities to investigate the incident and bring to justice the perpetrators.
- Ibrahim Gambari, head of the mission, called the attack a "war crime" and promised to ensure that justice will be served.
Statistics:
- Three UN peacekeepers were killed in the ambush.
- Six peacekeepers were injured in the incident.
- One of the assailants was also killed.
- 33 peacekeepers have been killed since the peacekeeping mission began in 2008.
- The peacekeeping mission in Darfur has authorized 20,000 troops.
- At least 300,000 people have been killed in Darfur due to fighting between Sudanese rebel groups and the Khartoum government.
- 2.7 million people have been driven from their homes in Darfur.
Sources:
- CNN Wire Staff (CNN)
- Statement from the joint U.N. and African Union mission in the troubled region.