Armed group in Congo attacks UN peacekeeping force containing Indian Army troops
India Today
An armed group in Congo launched an attack on May 22 on the United Nations peacekeeping forces containing troops from the Indian Army.
An armed group launched an unprovoked attack on the MONUSCO (United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo) and the FARDC (Congolese Army) positions in Congo on May 22. MONUSCO has the Indian Army troops deployed in the country as part of a multilateral United Nations peacekeeping force.
The Indian Army and troops of other nationalities under the UN flag fended off the attack by carrying out a coordinated resistance with the FARDC.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) released a statement on May 24 condemning the attack and called it a “deliberate attack targeting peacekeepers”. It added that such attacks may constitute war crimes under international law.
The members of the security council called on the Congolese authorities to investigate such attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice, and to keep the relevant troop-contributing country informed of the progress.
The Indian Army troops have been contributing to the stabilisation of the strife-torn region in accordance with a UN mandate. It continues to maintain strong deterrent positions to deter any further hostile action towards strategic towns and roads, as well as to protect the local population.
