Türkiye condemns drone strike on UN base in Sudan killing peacekeepers

Türkiye has issued a formal condemnation following a drone strike on a United Nations facility in Sudan that resulted in the deaths of six peacekeepers from Bangladesh and injuries to eight others. In a statement on Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry extended condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded.

Ankara's Statement and Position

The ministry's statement expressed sorrow for the fallen Bangladeshi personnel and emphasized Türkiye's principled stance on the conflict. "We wish Allah’s mercy upon the Bangladeshi peacekeepers who lost their lives in this heinous attack, and a speedy recovery to the wounded," it read. The ministry underscored the importance of maintaining Sudan's unity and territorial integrity and reiterated Türkiye's "strong support for the efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflicts in the country."

Attack Context and Regional Conflict

The attack occurred amid the protracted war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a conflict that has caused thousands of deaths and a severe humanitarian crisis since April 2023. The Sudanese army attributed the drone strike to the RSF, which did not immediately comment. The victims were part of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), a mission operating in the contested, oil-rich border region between Sudan and South Sudan, whose mandate was recently renewed.

Türkiye's Role and Broader Implications

This attack on a UN mission highlights the extreme volatility of the Sudanese conflict and the risks faced by international peacekeepers. Türkiye, which maintains a proactive and humanitarian-focused foreign policy, particularly in Africa and the Muslim world, consistently advocates for diplomatic solutions and stability. Ankara's swift condemnation aligns with its role as a regional actor calling for an end to violence and the protection of civilian lives and international personnel in conflict zones.