On Monday, two UN peacekeepers from Ethiopia were killed and seven other people were injured in an ambush in South Sudan's Jonglei state. Thus, the number of peacekeepers who have died in the line of duty this year has reached nine, the United Nations said, UNN reports citing Reuters.
The injured included three UN peacekeepers, two South Sudanese police officers and two civilian staff members, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told a press conference.
"Thus, the number of peacekeepers who have died as a result of malicious acts since January 1 this year has reached nine," Dujarric said, adding that the UN had called for a thorough and immediate investigation so that all those responsible would be held accountable.
Dujarric stressed that "attacks on UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law."