UAE strongly condemns attack on UN mission, South Sudan troops
The UAE has condemned in the strongest terms an attack on a helicopter affiliated with the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and on South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF).
The attack, which took place in Upper Nile State, resulted in the death of a member of the international force and several government troops, in addition to the injury of two crew members.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its strong condemnation of the attack, emphasising that it constitutes a violation of the principles of international law.
Furthermore, it expressed its solidarity with the countries participating in UNMISS forces, and extended its condolences to the UN and the South Sudan government, and its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.
Meanwhile, South Sudan's president appealed for calm and pledged his country would "not go back to war", after the UN helicopter was attacked and a crew member killed on a rescue mission on Friday.
A fragile power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar has been threatened in recent weeks by clashes between their allied forces in the northeastern Upper Nile State.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said its team was attempting to extract members of the South Sudanese army from the area when their helicopter came under fire, killing a crew member and seriously injuring two others.
A South Sudanese army general and other officers were killed in the failed rescue mission, UNMISS said in a statement, saying the incident may constitute a war crime.
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