Armed men ambush UN patrol in South Sudan, killing 2 peacekeepers

Two UN peacekeepers were killed and seven others wounded when armed men ambushed a patrol in South Sudan’s Jonglei state on Monday, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said.

The patrol was travelling to the remote area of Pajut when it came under attack. The two peacekeepers killed and three of those wounded were Ethiopian nationals, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said. Two South Sudanese police officers and two civilian staff members were also injured.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. UNMISS said it deployed a Quick Reaction Force to secure the area and assist with the emergency response.

“Such deadly violence targeting UNMISS personnel who are serving to support peace in South Sudan is unacceptable,” UNMISS head Anita Kiki Gbeho said.

The deaths bring the number of UN peacekeepers killed by militias in South Sudan since January 1 to nine. Dujarric said attacks against UN peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the ambush and called for a prompt investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

The attack comes amid escalating violence between government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and fighters and militias aligned with opposition leader Riek Machar. A 2018 peace agreement between Kiir and Machar has effectively collapsed, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war.

UN figures show more than 450 incidents targeting humanitarian workers and assets were recorded between January and July, more than twice the number reported during the same period last year.

The conflict intensified in December after opposition forces seized government positions in Jonglei. Government forces have since launched a counteroffensive involving airstrikes and ground operations.

The United States has urged Kiir and Machar to return to negotiations and uphold the 2018 peace agreement.