A drone attack on a hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan, killed at least 30 patients, with some reports indicating over 70 fatalities, including women and children. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF has severely impacted healthcare, with 80 percent of facilities closed. The humanitarian situation continues to worsen as famine threatens displacement camps in the region.
A deadly drone attack occurred at the Saudi Hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan, resulting in the death of at least 30 patients in the emergency department. However, regional authorities report that more than 70 people, including women and children, may have been killed during the incident. This attack on one of the remaining operational hospitals highlights the severe deterioration of healthcare in the conflict-ridden region. Witnesses noted that the hospital had previously been targeted by RSF drones a few weeks prior to this attack.
The ongoing conflict in Darfur, particularly between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to repeated assaults on healthcare facilities in el-Fasher. Doctors Without Borders reported that the Saudi Hospital is the only public hospital with surgical capabilities still functioning amid widespread damage to medical services. Official figures indicate that approximately 80 percent of healthcare facilities across Sudan are non-operational due to the violence.
Since April 2023, tensions have escalated as the RSF has seized nearly all of western Darfur. They have besieged el-Fasher since May, while army-aligned militias have pushed back their forces, preventing the RSF from gaining full control of the city. The conflict has sparked significant humanitarian crises, pushing millions from their homes while famine looms in several displacement camps within the region.
Recent reports indicate that el-Fasher is under threat of expanding famine, affecting camps such as Zamzam, Abu Shouk, and Al-Salam, with projections that the crisis could reach the urban center soon. Additionally, the Sudanese army announced a break in the RSF’s siege of its headquarters in Khartoum, claiming military gains in the area. The RSF, however, disputed these claims, labeling them as propaganda and asserting that the information being disseminated is misleading.
The humanitarian situation in the Darfur region of Sudan has greatly deteriorated due to ongoing armed conflict that began over disputes regarding the integration of the Sudanese military and RSF. El-Fasher, as the capital of North Darfur, has been particularly impacted, witnessing rampant violence and attacks on healthcare facilities. With the RSF controlling significant portions of the region, medical charities emphasize the dire state of healthcare, with many facilities forced to close due to damage or ongoing conflict. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread displacement, causing grave humanitarian issues, including food shortages. The unfolding crisis threatens to exacerbate suffering among vulnerable populations, especially in areas already facing famine conditions, as reported by various humanitarian organizations and the United Nations.
The drone attack on the Saudi Hospital in el-Fasher underscores the critical risks faced by healthcare workers and patients in conflict zones like Darfur. With the ongoing violence between the Sudanese army and the RSF, significant disruptions to healthcare services continue, leaving millions vulnerable. The international community must take note of these events to address the growing humanitarian crisis and advocate for urgent support to the region’s beleaguered healthcare system and displaced communities.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
