Six members of the Bangladesh Army serving with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) were killed and eight others wounded (, with 8 others injured (including three female soldiers, four in critical condition) in a drone attack on a UN base in the disputed Abyei region of Sudan, officials have confirmed.
The fallen peacekeepers were members of the 9 Bangladesh Infantry Regiment (9 BIR), deployed as part of Bangladesh’s long-standing contribution to UN peacekeeping operations.
On 14 December, the Government of Sudan issued an official press release strongly condemning the attack on UN troops. The United Nations has since stated that the strike on peacekeepers could constitute a war crime, as UN personnel are protected under international humanitarian law. A formal investigation is expected to determine responsibility.
According to Sudanese government officials and intelligence sources, the attack is alleged to have been carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), an armed group currently engaged in conflict with the Sudanese state. These sources further allege that the RSF receives external backing, including support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The United Nations has not yet formally confirmed attribution, and the matter remains under investigation.
Operational Context
The attack was carried out using drones, exposing a significant force-protection vulnerability. As a standard infantry contingent deployed on peacekeeping duties, the Bangladeshi troops did not possess Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) capable of defending against aerial threats.
The Bangladesh Army has only recently begun acquiring CUAS capabilities, including systems sourced from Türkiye and China, reflecting a broader challenge facing UN peacekeeping missions as non-state armed groups increasingly employ unmanned aerial systems.
Misinformation Concerns
In the aftermath of the attack, false claims circulating on Pakistani social media have alleged that a Pakistani Quick Reaction Force (QRF) single-handedly “rescued 41 Bangladeshi troops”.
There has been no official confirmation of these claims from the United Nations, UNISFA, or Bangladesh Army authorities.
QRF’s are formed on adhoc basis and can comprise of troops from multiple nations during such operations with countless examples of Bangladeshi, Indian, Nepali and Pakistani troops working together during such operations against rebel groups.
UNISFA is commanded by Maj. Gen. Robert Yaw Affram of the Ghanaian Army, and the main force deployed in Abyei consists of a battalion-sized contingent from the Ghana Army. The exact number of Bangladeshi personnel deployed at the affected base has not been publicly disclosed.
Bangladesh’s Response
The Government of Bangladesh has condemned the attack and stated that it is availing all necessary resources to support international efforts aimed at accountability. Dhaka is working closely with the United Nations in relation to the investigation, the repatriation of the fallen peacekeepers, and medical support for the wounded.
Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, and the loss of six soldiers has been described by officials as both a matter of profound sorrow and national sacrifice.
The incident has renewed calls for enhanced force protection measures, particularly against drone threats, to ensure the safety of peacekeepers operating in increasingly complex conflict environments.
Bangladesh Army Peacekeepers: Casualties in Abyei Drone Attack
(As per official ISPR press release, 14 December 2025)
Martyred (Killed in Action)
| No. | Name | Rank / Appointment | Unit | Home District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cpl Md Masud Rana | Corporal | ASC | Natore |
| 2 | Sld Md Mominul Islam, Bir | Soldier | — | Kurigram |
| 3 | Sld Shamim Reza, Bir | Soldier | — | Rajbari |
| 4 | Sld Shanto Mondol, Bir | Soldier | — | Kurigram |
| 5 | Mohammad Jahangir Alam | Mess Waiter | — | Kishoreganj |
| 6 | Md Sobuj Mia | Laundry Worker | — | Gaibandha |
Wounded
| No. | Name | Rank | Corps / Unit | Home District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lt Col Khondaker Khalekuzzaman, PSC | Lieutenant Colonel | Ordnance | Kushtia |
| 2 | Sgt Md Mostakim Hossain, Bir | Sergeant | — | Dinajpur |
| 3 | Cpl Afroza Parvin Eti | Corporal | Signals | Dhaka |
| 4 | L/Cpl Mohibul Islam | Lance Corporal | EME | Barguna |
| 5 | Sld Md Mezbaul Kabir, Bir | Soldier | — | Kurigram |
| 6 | Sld Umme Hani Akter | Soldier | Engineers | Rangpur |
| 7 | Sld Chumki Akter | Soldier | Ordnance | Manikganj |
| 8 | Sld Md Manazir Ahsan, Bir | Soldier | — | Noakhali |
Medical update:
All injured peacekeepers are receiving treatment. Soldier Md Mezbaul Kabir underwent successful surgery and remains under close observation. The other seven injured have been airlifted for advanced medical care and are reported to be out of danger.
