2 UN peacekeepers killed in South Sudan ambush: UN

Two UN peacekeepers were killed and seven others injured in an ambush in South Sudan's Jonglei state. The UN has condemned the attack, which occurred as the country prepares for its first elections in December.
Why it matters
The attack highlights the ongoing instability in South Sudan and the risks faced by international peacekeeping missions in conflict zones.
Two peacekeepers were killed in an ambush in Jonglei state of South Sudan on Monday (August 24, 2026), the United Nations said.
Jonglei state, in the east of the highly unstable east African country, has been a focus of recent conflict between the government and opposition forces.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said the attack by "unidentified armed individuals" happened as a patrol was heading to the town of Pajut, and could "constitute war crimes".
"Two peacekeepers were killed in the attack, while seven others were injured, including three peacekeepers, two South Sudan National Police Service personnel and two civilian staff," it said in a statement, strongly condemning the incident.
UNMISS said it had deployed a "Quick Reaction Force" to the area.
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