UN Security Council condemns Abyei drone attacks as possible war crimes, in statement read by Greece’s Balta

The UN Security Council has condemned “in the strongest terms” the drone attacks of 19 October in the Abyei Area, near Amiet Market and Todach, in a press statement issued on 23 October. The statement was read out by Council President Aglaia Balta of Greece, the Council’s president.

What the Council said

According to the Security Council press statement, the attacks killed and injured many people, including women and children. Council members expressed condolences to the families and the affected communities and wished the injured a full recovery. They noted with concern that the death toll is expected to rise as the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) verifies casualties.

The members stated that attacks targeting civilians are prohibited under international humanitarian law and could constitute war crimes. They called for a full, transparent and prompt investigation and said those responsible must be held accountable. The statement does not name a perpetrator.

Abyei and UNISFA

The Council reaffirmed that the Abyei Area must remain demilitarised and free of all forces except UNISFA, and called on all actors to end military operations and occupation there. It restated its support for the mission and urged all parties to work with it to protect civilians, humanitarian workers and peacekeepers.

What UNISFA found on the ground

UN News reported that more than 80 people were killed in the attack on the disputed, oil-rich area between Sudan and South Sudan, without naming the source of that figure. UNISFA troops were the first to reach the scene. Lt. Col. Muhammad Farooq, who commands the mission’s Pakistani battalion, said “every shop was burning.” The mission sent quick-reaction and firefighting teams to stop the fire spreading, and Acting Force Commander Brigadier General Adebowale Ajabge said it took more than 27 injured people to its hospital in Todach.

Earlier coverage

The Council statement follows the Secretary-General’s own reaction, reported in UN chief condemns Abyei market drone strikes: dozens of civilians killed, toll expected to rise, no perpetrator named, and the wider picture of drone warfare in Sudan set out in UN condemns drone strikes across Sudan: market hit in Abyei, Khartoum targeted, 10 children among 19 reported dead over the weekend.

The statement was issued by Greece’s Aglaia Balta in her role as Council president. No further Council meeting on Abyei was announced in the sources read.