UN peacekeeper killed in Darfur

One United Nations peacekeeper was killed in Sudan and three others injured when they were ambushed while on patrol in Darfur Wednesday. 

The shooting marks the second fatality among UN peacekeeping troops in Darfur this year. 

The attack happened about 60 miles northeast of Nyala, the capital of conflict-torn Darfur, Agence France-Presse said. The soldier who died was seeking medical treatment, a UN spokesman told the news agency. The extent of the other soldiers' injuries was unclear, the spokesman said. 

It also was unclear whether there were any casualties on the alleged attackers' side. The UN said its soldiers did return fire when attacked. 

Reuters said the troops were moving from Nyala to Shearia when they were ambushed at Baraka village. 

While violence in Darfur has subsided in recent years, "rebel and tribal fighting and banditry still plagues the territory," Reuters noted. 

The UN and African Union maintain a joint peacekeeping operation in the region, which has been mired in civil war for years. But 36 peacekeepers have been killed since forces were deployed to protect civilians in 2007. Several attacks on peacekeepers last year pushed UN Security Council to call for "an end to impunity for those who attack peacekeepers."

The UN estimates more than 300,000 people have been killed in Darfur. Sudan estimates the number to be a much lower 10,000, AFP said, noting Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. 

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