Around 70 individuals were killed in a recent attack on the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in El Fasher, Sudan, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This hospital, the only operational medical facility in the besieged city, was struck as Sudan’s civil war intensified over the past few days. The assault, attributed to the rebel group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marks the latest in a series of attacks amid escalating violence between the RSF and Sudanese military forces loyal to General Abdel-Fattah Burhan.
The Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital, located just north of El Fasher’s airport, is situated near the frontlines of the conflict and has frequently been targeted by shelling. Despite this, medical staff at the hospital continue to carry out critical surgeries, often under difficult and dangerous conditions, using cellphone lights to perform procedures during power outages caused by the ongoing bombardment.
The attack on the hospital follows a series of military setbacks for the RSF. The Sudanese army, led by General Burhan, recently claimed control of a key oil refinery north of Khartoum, an area where the RSF had been engaged in intense fighting. The situation in Darfur remains precarious, as both sides continue to battle for control, contributing to one of the most significant humanitarian crises in the region in recent years.
The violence in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has displaced millions and left many without access to basic services, including healthcare. International organizations, including the WHO, have repeatedly called for the protection of medical facilities and personnel in conflict zones, highlighting the devastating impact the ongoing war is having on civilian populations.
As the conflict escalates, the international community remains on alert, urging both parties to prioritize humanitarian access and the protection of civilians. The assault on the hospital in El Fasher underscores the urgent need for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
