UN helicopter hit, downed in South Sudan
Incident follows attack on US helicopter in which four people were wounded
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Two officials have told The Associated Press that a UN helicopter trying to evacuate peacekeepers and civilians was fired on and sustained significant damage on Friday in the same restive South Sudan state where a US helicopter was hit Saturday.
Rob McKee of Warrior Security said the UN helicopter was hit by small arms fire and made an emergency landing while trying to evacuate personnel from a base in Yuai in Jonglei state. A second official who insisted on anonymity because the information hasn’t been released said the helicopter was abandoned and remains unable to fly. No injuries were reported.
A UN spokesman didn’t answer a phone call or email seeking comment.
A US aircraft was fired on Saturday in Bor, the capital of Jonglei. Four US service members were wounded.