Two United Nations peacekeepers have been killed in an ambush in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, with seven others injured in the attack.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said the patrol was travelling towards the remote Pajut area on Monday when it came under attack from unidentified armed men.
Three other peacekeepers were among those injured, alongside two members of the South Sudan National Police Service and two civilian employees of the UN mission.
Following the incident, UNMISS dispatched a Quick Reaction Force to secure the area and support the evacuation and treatment of those injured.
The head of UNMISS, Anita Kiki Gbeho, condemned the attack and called for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
She said violence against UN personnel working to promote peace in South Sudan was unacceptable and urged authorities to ensure that those responsible were identified and prosecuted.
The UN mission also warned that attacks against peacekeepers could amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law.
Gbeho expressed condolences to the families of the two peacekeepers who were killed and wished the injured a quick recovery.
