Dhaka, Dec 14 — Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned a drone strike on a United Nations base in Abyei, Sudan, that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured eight others who were serving with the UN mission.
The ministry said the nation mourns the loss of its personnel and expressed deep condolences to the families. It offered prayers for the swift recovery of the wounded and described efforts to secure the best possible medical care for those injured. Four of the wounded are reported to be in critical condition.
Bangladesh has asked its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York to press for urgent treatment and support, and the mission is coordinating closely with UN officials. The government statement also said Bangladesh’s diplomatic and military channels are working to provide all necessary assistance to the contingent in the region.
Bangladesh’s Inter-Services Public Relations office labelled the incident a terrorist attack and confirmed the deaths and injuries, saying clashes between peacekeepers and militants were ongoing at the site. The ISPR statement gave the date of the attack as Saturday, December 13, 2025.
Abyei is a disputed border area between Sudan and South Sudan, notable for oil resources and recurring intercommunal tensions. The Dinka Ngok community of South Sudan traditionally inhabits the area while the Misseriya, a nomadic group from Sudan, use it for seasonal grazing. Those geographic and ethnic dynamics, together with contested claims to land and resources, have made Abyei a long-standing flashpoint.
Under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a referendum was meant to let Abyei residents decide whether to join Sudan or South Sudan, but disagreements over voter lists, security concerns and political disputes have prevented the vote from taking place. The unresolved status has kept the area prone to violence despite the presence of UN peacekeepers assigned to protect civilians and reduce conflict.
The Bangladeshi government’s response underscores concern for its personnel and a push for international support to treat the injured and stabilize the situation in Abyei.
