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U.N. Peacekeepers in Darfur Killed in Attack by Gunmen Darfur Attack Kills 7 in Force Sent to Sudan By the U.N.
(about 4 hours later)
CAIRO — Gunmen ambushed a United Nations peacekeeping team on Saturday in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, killing seven and wounding 17 in the deadliest single attack on the international force in Sudan. CAIRO — Gunmen ambushed a United Nations peacekeeping team on Saturday in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, killing 7 and wounding 17 in the deadliest single attack on the international force in Sudan.
The assailants attacked with machine guns and possibly rocket-propelled grenades, striking the force 15 miles west of the town of Khor Abeche, said a United Nations forces spokesman, Chris Cycmanick.The assailants attacked with machine guns and possibly rocket-propelled grenades, striking the force 15 miles west of the town of Khor Abeche, said a United Nations forces spokesman, Chris Cycmanick.
Reinforcements later rescued the wounded, the force said in a statement. Mr. Cycmanick declined to give the nationalities of those killed and wounded in the attack. Reinforcements rescued the wounded, the force said in a statement. Mr. Cycmanick declined to give the nationalities of the casualties. Tanzanian troops have regularly patrolled the area in the past. About 40 countries have contributed military personnel or police officers to the peacekeeping force.
No group immediately claimed responsibility. No group had claimed responsibility. A February report by a United Nations panel of experts said some armed opposition groups angry about the presence of peacekeepers had called them “a legitimate target.”Peacekeepers have been attacked in the region since the international force began its work there in 2008. In the last attack, gunmen killed a Nigerian peacekeeper in April in East Darfur State.
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, a joint special representative of the force, said, “The perpetrators should be on notice that they will be pursued for this crime and gross violation of international humanitarian law.”
Peacekeepers have been previously attacked in the region since the international force began its work there in 2008. In the last attack, gunmen killed a Nigerian peacekeeper in April in East Darfur State.
The joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force was established to protect civilians in Darfur, but it also provides security for those delivering humanitarian aid, verifying agreements, carrying out political reconciliation efforts and promoting human rights.The joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force was established to protect civilians in Darfur, but it also provides security for those delivering humanitarian aid, verifying agreements, carrying out political reconciliation efforts and promoting human rights.
It has about 16,500 troops and military observers and about 5,000 international police officers. More than 300,000 people have been killed in the Darfur conflict since rebels took up arms against the Sudanese government nearly 10 years ago, accusing it of discrimination and neglect.It has about 16,500 troops and military observers and about 5,000 international police officers. More than 300,000 people have been killed in the Darfur conflict since rebels took up arms against the Sudanese government nearly 10 years ago, accusing it of discrimination and neglect.
The International Criminal Court indicted President Omar al-Bashir in 2009 on genocide and war crimes charges over the fighting in Darfur. About 300,000 people fled fighting in Darfur in the first five months of this year, the United Nations has said.