Global General

Two peacekeepers of UNAMID killed in Darfur

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-08 05:36

KHARTOUM - Two Egyptian peacekeepers of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) were killed, and three others seriously wounded in the restive western Sudanese region of Darfur on Friday, the UNAMID said in a statement.

A military convoy from UNAMID's Egyptian contingent, with three vehicles and 20 people, was ambushed near Katila village, 85 km south of Edd al Fursan, South Darfur on Friday morning by a group of unidentified armed men who indiscriminately opened fire, without warning, at the peacekeepers, the statement said.

It noted that the attackers fled when the convoy returned fire, adding that the attack left two peacekeepers killed in action and three seriously wounded.

The injured soldiers were air-lifted to UNAMID's hospital in Nyala, South Darfur, and were in stable condition, the statement said.

In the statement, AU-UN Joint Special Representative in Sudan Ibrahim Gambari expressed outrage at this cowardly attack against UNAMID's peacekeepers, saying that the peacekeepers "are in Darfur to help restore peace and stability."

He added that the "UNAMID remains undaunted and unwavering in its commitment to carrying out its mandate in the service of peace. "

The UNAMID calls upon the Government of the Sudan to identify, capture and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and reminds all parties that any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a war crime.

This attack brings to 24 the number of UNAMID personnel killed in hostile actions since the 26,000-strong mission was established in January 2008.