Tragedy struck in Sudan's North Darfur state as a drone strike targeted the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in El Fasher, claiming the lives of at least 70 individuals, primarily women and children. The hospital, the last functioning medical facility in the besieged capital, was packed with patients at the time of the attack, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
The attack, which occurred late Friday, is the latest escalation in the ongoing civil war that has plagued Sudan for the past 20 months. The conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has resulted in over 20,000 deaths and displaced more than 11 million people, making it one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
While the responsible party for the drone strike remains unidentified, accusations have been directed towards the RSF, with Governor Mini Minnawi attributing the attack to the militia. The Sudanese foreign ministry also condemned the strike, labeling it a massacre that targeted civilians seeking medical treatment.
The Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital has been a repeated target of attacks, with a previous airstrike last August claiming the life of a patient carer and injuring five others. The RSF, vying for control of Darfur alongside the Sudanese military, has been accused of targeting civilian areas in the region.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over the attack, emphasizing the critical need for peace in Sudan. The destruction of health facilities and the loss of civilian lives only serve to compound the suffering of the people in North Darfur, where access to healthcare is already severely limited.
Ghebreyesus called on all warring factions to halt the violence and prioritize the well-being of Sudan's population. In a region plagued by conflict and devastation, the plea for peace resonates as the most urgent prescription for healing and rebuilding.
