An airstrike slammed into the Saudi Hospital in the capital of North Darfur state in Sudan, El-Fasher, killing 30 and injuring dozens of people, said a medical source cited by AFP on Friday. The last functioning hospital in the region had its emergency treatment facility destroyed.
An anonymous source, speaking for fear of reprisal, said that the identity of the strike attacker is still unknown in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
Escalating War Ravages Darfur
Sudan’s military has been engaged in fierce fighting with the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023. Though the RSF controls most of the Darfur region, pro-army militias have successfully defended El-Fasher since May.
This attack is the second incident involving RSF drones hitting the same hospital several weeks ago which has escalated the anxiety surrounding the already frail health care in the region.
Health Care in Shambles
The Saudi Hospital had been described by Doctors Without Borders as “the only public hospital with surgical capacity still standing” in El-Fasher. The new strike has reduced the city’s health facilities to a shambles.
Official reports indicate that the war has rendered 80% of healthcare facilities in the country non-functional. Health aside, the casualties include out-of-school children, which UNICEF puts at over 17 million in 2024.
Education is a lifeline for children living through conflict.
In Sudan, however, 17 million children were out of school last year due to the ongoing war.@UNICEF reiterates its call for a ceasefire and the safe reopening of schools to protect children’s future. pic.twitter.com/0tAWNC2fhd
— United Nations (@UN) January 7, 2025
Humanitarian Catastrophe
The war claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced more than 12 million. There were reports of starvation in the camps around El-Fasher, which included Zamzam, Abu Shouk, and Al-Salam.
A report backed by the United Nations warned Tuesday that famine might spread to five more areas in Sudan by May. The food and fuel shortages have pushed this East African country into a full-blown humanitarian crisis.
