Seven peacekeepers have been killed on Saturday near their base at Manawashi, north of the South Darfur state capital Nyala, according to the African Union-UN Mission.

Seven peacekeepers have been killed on Saturday near their base at Manawashi, north of the South Darfur state capital Nyala, according to the African Union-UN Mission.

"It was a patrol that was going to Manawashi," said UNAMID's acting spokesman Christopher Cycmanick.

"Seven peacekeepers were killed and 17 were injured," he added.

It is considered the worst-ever loss in the five-year history of the operation.