Deadly Drone Strike on Darfur Hospital Claims Many Lives
A recent drone attack on a hospital in el-Fasher, Darfur, resulted in the deaths of over 30 patients, including women and children. This attack deepens the humanitarian crisis, as healthcare facilities in the region are increasingly targeted amidst ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF forces. The medical infrastructure is collapsing, with significant portions forced out of operation and rising famine risks affecting displaced populations.
In a devastating drone strike on a hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan’s Darfur region, over 30 patients were killed, with regional authorities reporting that the attack may have executed more than 70 individuals, including vulnerable women and children. The targeted facility has been under siege amidst the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), suggesting a tragic escalation in the humanitarian crisis.
The Saudi Hospital, one of the few operational medical facilities in the area, had already survived a prior RSF drone attack, raising alarming concerns regarding the safety of healthcare workers and patients in the conflict zone. Since April 2023, the Darfur region has been embroiled in violent confrontations, leading to the tragic loss of tens of thousands of lives and the displacement of millions, exacerbating an existing humanitarian catastrophe.
The RSF has maintained a siege on el-Fasher, capital of North Darfur, while combat with army-aligned militia groups has prevented them from overtaking the city. Healthcare facilities are suffering widespread devastation; according to medical charity Doctors Without Borders, approximately 80 percent of healthcare services have been rendered inoperative. With conditions rapidly deteriorating, areas around el-Fasher face famine risks as humanitarian needs surpass available resources.
In the broader context, the ongoing war has deeply incapacitated Sudan’s healthcare infrastructure, with more facilities being forced to close. This situation emerges alongside military claims from the Sudanese army that they have resisted an RSF siege of their Khartoum headquarters. While the army reported victories in expelling RSF forces, these claims have been dismissed by the RSF as exaggerations aimed at boosting morale.
The conflict in Sudan has intensified since April 2023, following disputes regarding the integration of armed forces. The RSF, which has become a dominant force in the western region of Darfur, has waged war against the Sudanese army, leading to widespread violence and significant displacement of individuals. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are caught in the crossfire, suffering grave attacks that hinder the provision of medical aid and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. El-Fasher’s situation exemplifies broader issues faced by various regions in Sudan as families battle hunger and lack of medical support, amidst ongoing violence and instability.
The drone attack on the Saudi Hospital highlights the detrimental impact of ongoing armed conflict on medical facilities in Sudan’s Darfur region. With a staggering number of casualties reported and much of the healthcare system inoperative, civilians face dire circumstances in accessing essential medical care. The situation demands urgent international attention to prevent further loss of life and assist the affected populations as they grapple with the consequences of war and severe humanitarian needs.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
