Saturday, December 22, 2012

Hot! South Sudan Army Shoots Down Un Helicopter - Bbc News

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No motive to be able to party

Pictures of a nurse's life

Is warfare inevitable?

The UN affirms a heli through it has the peacekeeping quest in South Sudan has become result lower from the army, eliminating all several crew, considered to end up being Russians.

A spokesman mentioned this aircraft seemed to be opportunity affordable whilst on a new reconnaissance mission inside western Jonglei state.

UN fundamental Ban Ki-moon firmly ruined the particular strike upon your "clearly marked" helicopter.

However, South Sudan 's minister associated with information told the BBC the fact that cause of the particular incident were clear.

The UN continues to be facilitating individuals swept up in deadly clashes involving rival online communities inside Jonglei state.

Deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey stated South Sudan 's military had admitted them acquired strike that helicopter.

"Initial reports pointed out the UN heli crashed and burned. The mission promptly started research online in addition to healing mission. It has confirmed the passing of most some crew members," your UN spokesman said.

"In succeeding marketing and sales communications in between your mandate along with the South Sudanese armed forces, the actual SPLA advised that mission that will it provides opportunity decrease the heli inside the Likuangole region within Jonglei state."

A spokesman intended for Mr Ban said: "The secretary-general highly condemns that taking pictures along today of your obviously designated UN helicopter because of the Sudan People's Liberation Army in the vicinity of Likuangole, around Jonglei State involving South Sudan."

Mr Ban named on South Sudan's federal government for you to "immediately perform an investigation and provide for you to consideration these responsible for this act", the particular spokesman said.

Earlier, South Sudan military spokesman Philip Aguer instructed AFP reports organization that will your helicopter had been strike by simply "friendly fire".

"The artillery component unfortunately terminated around the plane that this really is an opposing players plane because there seems to be very little past facts from the UN about it plane when i was in this area," they said.

"After 15 units associated with capturing along at the plane, all of us heard that this UN had sent a plane," he / she added.

'Rebel activity'

But South Sudan Minister of Information Barnaba Marial Benjamin instructed that BBC's Focus with Africa programme: "There will be absolutely no proof it turned out chance down. It is staying investigated.

"It had been hurtling within a good area exactly where you will find there's lot of rebel activity."

The helicopter has been identified both equally by simply UN and also Russian resources for a Russian-built Mi 8 - a twin-turbine helicopter frequently used when a transport.

All four crew members were Russians, Moscow news agencies report, quoting Russian diplomats inside South Sudan.

They additionally spoke on the fifth victim, who had not been Russian nevertheless whose nationality was not given.

South Sudan accuses Sudan associated with assisting digital rebel groupings on its territory - charges dissmissed off by Khartoum.

Relations are already tighten involving both locations because South seceded in 2011.

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