Quick Read
- A drone strike on December 14, 2025, killed six Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers and injured eight in Kadugli, Sudan.
- The Sudanese military blamed the RSF paramilitary group, but RSF has not commented; UN leaders called for accountability and a ceasefire.
Sudan Drone Strike: Six UN Peacekeepers Killed, Eight Injured
In the latest and most alarming escalation of violence in Sudan, a drone strike hit a United Nations logistics base in the city of Kadugli, central Kordofan, on Saturday, December 14, 2025. Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving under the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) were killed, and eight others were wounded. The attack, which occurred between 3:40 and 3:50 PM local time, marked one of the deadliest direct assaults on UN personnel in the region in recent years (The New Arab, SocialNews.XYZ, UN News).
What Happened: Unfolding Events and Immediate Response
According to statements from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the drone fired three missiles at the UN logistics base and the Bangladesh Battalion, setting a UN storage facility ablaze. The situation in Kadugli remains volatile, with ongoing clashes reported between government forces and armed groups. Bangladeshi authorities confirmed that all casualties—both the deceased and the wounded—were nationals deployed with UNISFA, a mission tasked with maintaining peace in the disputed, oil-rich region of Abyei.
Bangladesh, one of the world’s largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, has expressed deep sorrow. The country’s interim government called the attack a “serious crime against international peace and humanity,” urging the UN to ensure comprehensive medical care for the injured. UN Secretary-General Guterres extended heartfelt condolences to the families and the people of Bangladesh, emphasizing the gravity of the loss and wishing the wounded a swift recovery.
Accountability and Political Fallout
The Sudanese military swiftly accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in a brutal two-year power struggle with the national army, of orchestrating the strike. The RSF, however, did not immediately comment on the allegations. The Sudanese Armed Forces described the attack as a “dangerous escalation” and “criminal behavior amounting to an organized terrorist act.” They shared video footage online showing thick black smoke rising from the UN compound.
UN leaders were unequivocal in their condemnation. Guterres stated, “Attacks against UN peacekeepers like this one are unjustifiable and may constitute war crimes.” He called for those responsible to be held accountable under international law. The head of UN Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, echoed this sentiment, stressing that “UN peacekeepers are not a target,” and that such assaults threaten humanitarian and international missions.
Context: A Country in Crisis
This attack comes amid a devastating conflict that has gripped Sudan since April 2023, when a power struggle between the military and RSF erupted into widespread violence. The fighting has devastated urban centers, especially Khartoum and Darfur, leading to over 40,000 deaths—a figure widely considered an undercount by rights groups. The war has displaced millions, fueled atrocities including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings, and pushed parts of the country into famine.
The region of Abyei, where UNISFA is deployed, remains highly volatile. Abyei is disputed between Sudan and South Sudan, and the UN mission—first established in 2011—was recently extended for another year. Nearly 4,000 military and police personnel, alongside civilian staff, serve under UNISFA’s mandate, which includes protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian aid, and supporting local law enforcement.
International Reaction and Humanitarian Concerns
Global response to the attack has been swift and somber. The UN, Bangladesh, and various international actors have condemned the assault, emphasizing the need for accountability and renewed efforts to protect peacekeeping personnel. The incident highlights the precarious conditions under which peacekeepers operate, often risking their lives in environments marked by persistent violence and instability.
UN Secretary-General Guterres renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, urging all parties to agree on a “comprehensive, inclusive, and Sudanese-owned political process” to resolve the crisis. He expressed solidarity with thousands of peacekeepers who continue to serve in dangerous settings, underlining the importance of respecting the neutrality and protected status of UN personnel.
Broader Implications: Escalation and Future Risks
The drone strike on the Kadugli base raises serious questions about the future of peacekeeping operations in Sudan and other conflict zones. As unmanned aerial technology becomes more accessible to non-state actors, the risk to humanitarian missions and international staff increases. The attack also signals a worrying trend: deliberate targeting of international organizations that play a crucial role in protecting civilians and delivering aid.
Bangladesh’s significant contribution to UN peacekeeping—long acknowledged as vital in volatile regions—has come at a heavy cost. The loss of six peacekeepers in a single incident underscores the human toll of international efforts to maintain peace in Sudan, a country now facing what the UN describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
While the Sudanese military has pointed fingers at the RSF, the absence of a direct claim from the accused group leaves many questions unanswered. As investigations proceed, the international community is watching closely, not only for justice for the victims but also for broader signals about the future of UN operations in Sudan.
This tragic incident underscores the vulnerability of peacekeepers in conflict zones and the urgent need for international accountability. As Sudan’s crisis deepens, the protection of humanitarian personnel and the pursuit of a lasting ceasefire must remain at the forefront of global priorities.