In a devastating assault, at least 70 people were killed and 19 others injured in an attack on the only functional hospital in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur province. The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, confirmed the casualty figures on Sunday through a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The hospital, known as Saudi Hospital, was reportedly packed with patients receiving care at the time of the attack. Dr. Tedros described the incident as "appalling," highlighting the significant loss of life among patients and their companions.
The assault occurred amidst escalating violence in the region. While local officials have blamed the rebel Rapid Support Force (RSF) for the attack, the group has not issued any immediate response to the accusations. Over recent days, the RSF has been threatening El Fasher as part of broader clashes in Sudan, which have intensified since the outbreak of civil conflict in April 2023.
Local officials initially reported a similar death toll on Saturday, but the WHO’s confirmation marks the first acknowledgment from an international body. The attack underscores the severe challenges facing Sudan’s healthcare infrastructure, already strained by months of conflict.
The Sudanese civil war, primarily a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, has plunged the country into chaos, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. Essential services, including healthcare, have been devastated, leaving millions in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
This latest attack highlights the growing peril in the region, as healthcare facilities—meant to be safe havens—become targets in the ongoing conflict.
