10 March 2009 -- Yesterday evening, a UNAMID patrol returning to its base in El Geneina, West Darfur was attacked by unknown armed men who fired at the vehicle with small arms.  Four peacekeepers were shot and wounded in the attack, one of them seriously.

The injured personnel were evacuated by helicopter for medical treatment to the Mission’s hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur where their conditions were listed as stable and not life-threatening.

UNAMID is investigating the incident.

UNAMID strongly condemns these acts of violence against its peacekeepers who are in Darfur to help bring peace and stability to the region and for the benefit of the population.

Violence against UNAMID personnel and banditry have increased over the past six weeks in West Darfur. The number of incidents until now in 2009 have exceeded those for the entirety of 2008.