Rabat – A Moroccan soldier with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was severely injured on Friday during a firefight with a mainly Christian anti-Balaka militia in Bangassou, Central African Republic, reported Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
On September 22, the anti-Balaka militia attacked a patrol of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) contingent at 3:16 p.m. The FAR soldiers were conducting an escort mission for a UN logistics convoy when they were attacked. The attack took place 100 kilometer west of Bangassou, where the FAR contingent has been operating, added MAP.
In another incident on July 25, two Moroccan peacekeepers were killed in an ambush by the anti-Balaka group in Bangassou, 700 kilometer east of the capital, Bangui. This attack came after another Moroccan soldier was killed on July 23. The three soldiers were among the contingent of Moroccan soldiers ambushed by anti-Balaka.
Morocco is one of the many countries that contributed peacekeepers to help bring stability in the conflict-stricken African nation. Since it was established in 2014, MINUSCA has deployed over 12,000 troops to the country to protect civilians, following concerns over CAR’s “security, humanitarian, human rights, and political crisis.”
To date, eight Moroccan peacekeepers have died in the Central African Republic since 2015.
