Fifteen United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been killed and over 53 wounded in an attack, according to UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq. Five Congolese solders were also killed.
The attack took place on December 7 in the province of North Kivu. Suspected Allied Democratic Forces rebels attacked the MONUSCO Company Operating Base at Force at Semuliki in Beni territory, resulting in “in protracted fighting between suspected ADF elements and MONUSCO and FARDC Forces,” the mission said in a statement.
🚨 BREAKING: #UNSC condemns killing of 15 peacekeepers in heinous attack on @MONUSCO. #UNSC points out deliberate attacks targeting @UNPeacekeeping may constitute war crimes. #DRC #NorthKivu
Full statement👇 pic.twitter.com/Z0YaXYQG69
— UK at the UN 🇬🇧 (@UKUN_NewYork) December 8, 2017
Radio Okapi, a DRC radio network, reported that the incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time.
Outraged by the attack against @MONUSCO in #NorthKivu DRC last evening, where a large number of @UN peacekeepers have been killed & wounded. Our thoughts & prayers with families & our colleagues in @MONUSCO. Reinforcements are on scene & medical evacuations by Mission ongoing. pic.twitter.com/l84tFHYKMR
— Jean-Pierre Lacroix (@Lacroix_UN) December 8, 2017
The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC has a yearly $1.2 billion cost and includes over 16,000 troops.