Ambush in South Sudan kills peacekeeping troops

An ambush has killed two United Nations peacekeepers in South Sudan.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said in a statement issued on Monday that armed men had ambushed a patrol as it travelled toward Pajut in Jonglei state. The attack comes as fears persist that the country risks sliding into a full-scale civil war.

The identities and nationalities of those killed have not yet been disclosed. Three other peacekeepers were wounded, along with two South Sudanese police officers and two civilian staff attached to the mission.

The UN peacekeeping mission said it deployed a “Quick Reaction Force” to secure the area and support the emergency response.

“Such deadly violence targeting UNMISS personnel, who are serving to support peace in South Sudan, is unacceptable,” Anita Kiki Gbeho, the head of the mission, said.

Numerous attacks on humanitarian workers have been recorded this year as the prospect of full-blown civil war rises, but violence against peacekeepers is rare.

UN figures show more than 450 attacks on humanitarian workers and assets between January and July, more than double last year’s total for the same period. At least 36 humanitarian workers and contractors were killed, surpassing the 31 killed across 2025.

The violence is playing out against months of grinding conflict between government troops and forces loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar.