The UN Security Council has voiced its outrage at the recent attacks by armed groups in South Sudan purposefully targetting civilians as well as the United Nations peacekeeping mission sites and personnel, with two Indian soldiers getting injured in one of the attacks.
The 15-member body highlighted in particular the April 17 attack against the compound of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, that resulted in scores of dead and injured, including those seeking the UN's shelter and protection.
Two Indian peacekeepers "sustained injuries repelling the mob" in the attack in Bor.
On April 14, attacks in Bentiu and Unity state left several injured.
"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms these acts and underscored that attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers may constitute a war crime," said a statement issued to the press.
In the attack in Bor, armed civilians forced their way into the UNMISS protection site, where some 5,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were sheltering, and opened fire.
Dozens of civilians were wounded and two UN peacekeepers sustained injuries repelling the armed mob.
The Indian peacekeepers at the UN Mission base in Bor were fulfilling their UNSC resolution 2013 mandate to protect civilians in the troubled nation.
Indian soldiers continue to provide shelter and critical medical assistance to displaced civilians in the midst of escalating violence in South Sudan.
Four months into the conflict between pro- and anti-Government forces, UNMISS is hosting some 67,000 civilians at its bases around the country.
Although the main parties to the conflict have signed a cessation of hostilities agreement, violence has escalated in recent weeks, particularly in Unity state.
On Monday, amid fighting in the state capital, Bentiu, anti-Government forces overran the town and the nearby neighbourhood of Rubkona.
As a result, the number of IDPs in the UNMISS compound there has risen to 12,000.
The Council members called on the Government of South Sudan to immediately take steps to ensure the safety of all civilians and UNMISS civilian protection sites, to swiftly investigate these incidents, and to bring the perpetrators of these "egregious" acts to justice.
"The members of the Security Council underscored their full support for UNMISS peacekeepers and commended the actions of the UNMISS contingents in Bor as they sought to fulfil their mandate to protect civilians.
They also called on all parties to refrain from actions or statements that could further escalate the situation.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the bor attack, saying that the attack on a location where civilians are being protected by the United Nations is a "serious escalation".
A statement issued by Ban's spokesperson said any attack on UN peacekeepers is "unacceptable and constitutes a war crime".
