Two UN peacekeepers killed in an ambush on their patrol in South Sudan's Jonglei state
Two United Nations peacekeepers were killed and seven others wounded when unidentified gunmen ambushed a UNMISS patrol heading to Pajut, Jonglei state. The UN mission says the attack could constitute a war crime and has deployed a rapid response force.
Two United Nations peacekeepers were killed and seven others wounded, including South Sudanese police and civilian mission staff, when unidentified gunmen ambushed a UNMISS patrol traveling to Pajut in South Sudan's Jonglei state on August 24, 2026. UNMISS says the attack could amount to a war crime and has deployed a rapid response force while calling for a full investigation; no group has claimed responsibility. The ambush comes as South Sudan's 2018 peace deal has effectively collapsed, with opposition leader Riek Machar under house arrest and fighting between government forces and opposition-aligned fighters ongoing in Jonglei since December.