UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly denounced the “horrific” drone attacks on a UN base in Sudan that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured eight others.

He expressed his deepest condolences to the Government and people of Bangladesh as well as to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.

“Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and I remind all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians,” Guterres said in a statement.

“Attacks as the one today in South Kordofan against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability.”

The drone strikes targeted the UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, killing six and injuring eight peacekeepers, all members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, known as UNISFA.

The oil-rich Abyei region lies between Sudan and South Sudan and has remained disputed since the two countries separated in 2011.

Kadugli is the capital of South Kordofan state, where intense fighting has continued between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, who have been locked in conflict for nearly three years.

The Secretary-General also voiced solidarity with peacekeepers serving in high-risk missions worldwide.

“I reiterate my call on the warring parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process,” he said.

In a separate social media post, the head of UN Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said he was “shocked by today’s horrific drone attack” and stressed that “UN peacekeepers are not a target,” adding that “this attack may constitute a war crime.”

UNISFA was set up in 2011, with a mandate that includes strengthening the Abyei Police Service, monitoring and verifying the redeployment of forces, supporting humanitarian assistance, and protecting civilians.

Nearly 4,000 military and police personnel, along with civilian staff, are currently serving with the mission.