A deadly drone attack on the Saudi Hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan, killed numerous patients amidst ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF. Over 70 fatalities were reported, with most health facilities across the country non-operational. The RSF maintains control of significant areas in Darfur, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as famine looms in displacement camps.
A drone attack targeted one of the few remaining hospitals in el-Fasher, Sudan, resulting in the death of numerous patients, with reports indicating at least 30 fatalities in the emergency department alone. The attack on the Saudi Hospital, which had previously been hit by a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) drone, is illustrative of the escalating violence against healthcare facilities amid the ongoing conflict in the region. Governor Mini Minawi reported that more than 70 individuals, including women and children, may have been killed in the incident.
The Sudanese army continues its battle against the RSF, which has largely controlled the Darfur region since April 2023. The RSF has besieged el-Fasher since May, although army-aligned groups have managed to repel their advances, preventing full control of the city. The ongoing war has led to rampant attacks on medical facilities, with Doctors Without Borders stating that the Saudi Hospital is one of the last hospitals with operational surgical services.
A staggering 80 percent of healthcare services across Sudan are reportedly non-operational, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis fueled by the violence. Many have fled their homes, and widespread famine has emerged in numerous displacement camps within Darfur, which is expected to intensify further. The alarming conditions in the region signify an urgent need for intervention and humanitarian assistance.
Amid this turmoil, the Sudanese army claimed to have repelled an RSF siege from their headquarters in Khartoum and expelled them from the al-Jili oil refinery, the largest in the country. However, the RSF rebuffed these claims as mere propaganda, intended to bolster the Sudanese army’s morale. The conflict in Sudan has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and pushed millions into severe hunger, raising significant international concerns about the looming humanitarian disaster.
The conflict in Sudan has escalated significantly since April 2023, primarily between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF. The RSF has gained control over much of Darfur, specifically el-Fasher, where civilian casualties are mounting due to continuous military engagements. Healthcare facilities, especially hospitals, have become prime targets, leading to further deterioration of medical services in a country already grappling with a humanitarian crisis.
The drone strike on the Saudi Hospital in el-Fasher exemplifies the dire situation in Sudan, where healthcare facilities have become casualties of an ongoing military conflict. As the battles continue between the Sudanese army and RSF, the humanitarian implications grow more severe, with famine and health crises threatening millions. Urgent international support is necessary to address the escalating conditions and protect vulnerable populations from further suffering.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
