Three Indian peacekeepers have been killed in an attack on a United Nations base in South Sudan, Al-Jazeera said.
The UN said attackers from the country’s
second-largest ethnic group forced their way into the Akobo base in
conflict-wracked Jonglei state on Thursday, pursuing civilians from a
rival ethnic group who had taken refuge there.
Contact with the base was lost after the
assault and UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the fate of more than
30 ethnic Dinka civilians sheltering at the base was not known.
A statement said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was “appalled” to learn of the attack.
“There are indications that civilians
may have been killed and wounded in the attack, but this remains to be
verified. Should these reports prove true, those responsible must be
held accountable for their crimes,” the statement said.
Ambassador Asoke Mukerji said the three peacekeepers were “targeted and killed” during an attack by ethnic Nuer youths.
Rapidly escalating ethnic violence has raised fears of instability in the world’s newest country.
No comments:
Post a Comment