Event: a “Quick Reaction Force

The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) ratcheted up a joint call for countries to adopt bans and restrictions on the use of autonomous weapons systems — often known as “killer robots” — warning that “the risks have intensified”. File | Photo Credit: AP The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) ratcheted up a joint call for countries to adopt bans and restrictions on the use of autonomous weapons systems — often known as “killer robots” — warning that “the risks have intensified”.Building on an initial appeal three years ago and international talks on the issue for years, the appeal stops short of calling for a blanket ban, but notes that such weapons systems are being developed — though the UN and Red Cross haven't confirmed their use on the battlefield.The organisations said, however, that civilians need to be protected for when that day may come.“We are now dangerously close to crossing a moral red line: The autonomous targeting of humans by machines,” said UN Geneva spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci, reading a joint statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric.“Today, we renew this call with even greater urgency,” the statement said. “The fundamental concerns remain unchanged, but the risks have intensified.” The two international organisations say the development of weapons technology at “record speed” has strained the international rules system and widened the gap between technological capacities and regulatory constraints.“Autonomous weapons systems are not part of a distant future — a race toward greater autonomy in weapons systems is already well underway,” the joint statement said.The call comes as negotiators are set to meet in Geneva in November on ways of strengthening the existing Convention on Conventional Weapons, with…

The mission said it had deployed a “Quick Reaction Force” to secure the area and support the emergency response after the attack. File | Photo Credit: AP Armed men ambushed a patrol travelling to a remote area of South Sudan on Monday (August 24, 2026), killing two UN peacekeepers, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan said. Though violence is rampant in the African country, attacks against peacekeepers are rare.No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Seven others were wounded — three peacekeepers, two members of the South Sudanese police and two civilian staffers — the mission known as UNMISS said in a statement. The two peacekeepers killed and three injured were from Ethiopia, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.The mission said it had deployed a “Quick Reaction Force” to secure the area and support the emergency response after the attack. The patrol was going to the area of Pajut in the state of Jonglei when it came under attack.“Such deadly violence targeting UNMISS personnel who are serving to support peace in South Sudan is unacceptable,” Anita Kiki Gbeho, the head of UNMISS, said in the statement.The killings bring the number of peacekeepers killed by militias since January 1 to 9, Dujarric said, stressing that attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the ambush “in the strongest possible terms” and called for a prompt investigation that would lead to the prosecution of those responsible, Dujarric said later on Monday (August 24).“The secretary-general reaffirms the United Nations' commitment to stand with the victims and their families during this profoundly difficult time,” the spokesman said.Government troops in South Sudan have been combating fighters and militias loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar, who was suspended last year as vice president as he faces charges of…

United Nations Peacekeepers. Image used for representative purpose only. | Photo Credit: AP Two peacekeepers were killed in an ambush in Jonglei state of South Sudan on Monday (August 24, 2026), the United Nations said.Jonglei state, in the east of the highly unstable east African country, has been a focus of recent conflict between the government and opposition forces.The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said the attack by "unidentified armed individuals" happened as a patrol was heading to the town of Pajut, and could "constitute war crimes"."Two peacekeepers were killed in the attack, while seven others were injured, including three peacekeepers, two South Sudan National Police Service personnel and two civilian staff," it said in a statement, strongly condemning the incident.UNMISS said it had deployed a "Quick Reaction Force" to the area."Such deadly violence targeting UNMISS personnel who are serving to support peace in South Sudan is unacceptable. I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the peacekeepers who lost their lives and wish those injured a speedy recovery," said Anita Kiki Gbeho, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS.South Sudan, one of the poorest and most corrupt nations in the world, gained independence in 2011 but soon after fell into civil war.A power-sharing deal ended the war in 2018, but has lately been falling apart, even as the government of President Salva Kiir attempts to hold the country's first elections in December. Published - August 24, 2026 07:30 pm IST