Horrific Attack on Sudan's Only Functional Hospital Leaves 70 Dead

In a shocking turn of events in Sudan's brutal civil war, the only functioning hospital in the besieged city of El Fasher was attacked, resulting in the tragic deaths of 70 people. This devastating incident, described by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as "appalling," underscores the horrific consequences of the escalating conflict. The attack on the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital, already operating under immense pressure, paints a grim picture of the desperation and suffering endured by the Sudanese people. Will the international community finally step up and demand an end to this senseless violence?

The Assault on El Fasher's Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital

The attack on the Saudi hospital, located near El Fasher's airport, was carried out while it was packed with patients seeking desperately needed medical care. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported not only the staggering death toll of 70, but also that 19 patients sustained serious injuries. This horrific act demonstrates the ruthless disregard for human life shown by the perpetrators, highlighting the brutality of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Local officials have blamed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, for this devastating assault, though the RSF has yet to claim responsibility. The hospital, situated on the front lines of the war, has endured repeated shelling, but the dedication of its medical staff continued surgical procedures under immense adversity; sometimes resorting to using the light from mobile phones during attacks to perform crucial life-saving operations. The unwavering commitment of medical professionals in the face of overwhelming danger reflects both remarkable dedication and the extreme necessity for life-sustaining care in this war-torn city. These heroic individuals showcase profound bravery and dedication to alleviating suffering even amid conflict.

A City Under Siege

El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur province, has been under siege by the RSF since May 2024. This prolonged siege has resulted in unspeakable suffering for the civilian population who have endured relentless violence, widespread human rights abuses, and extreme shortages of basic necessities. This situation reflects an unfortunate, widely pervasive issue in protracted wars and conflicts in the modern day. The city, now housing an estimated one million people, many of whom are internally displaced due to the conflict, grapples with escalating tensions. Reports indicate the RSF issued an ultimatum for allied forces to vacate El Fasher, presaging a brutal offensive with immense consequences for already strained populations.

The Escalating Conflict and International Response

The Sudanese civil war has resulted in over 28,000 deaths and caused millions to flee their homes. International mediation attempts and pressure tactics, including US accusations of genocide and sanctions against key figures like General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, have thus far proved inadequate to halt the relentless violence. The shocking lack of adequate reaction from both domestic and international sources has shocked and alarmed the international community, and resulted in renewed calls for swift humanitarian intervention in war-torn areas.

International Efforts and Challenges

International efforts have been complicated by numerous challenges such as unreliable communications, disinformation spread by various parties (including exaggerated claims made by both RSF and the Sudanese military), which are constantly adding a layer of complication to delivering assistance and information on events to other parts of the world and reporting on such humanitarian crises from conflict zones and challenging security environments. This complex situation needs urgent addressing if international intervention and peace processes are to stand a chance of succeeding. While reports indicate other health facilities suffered attacks, including one in Al Malha, the impact on the only major operational hospital demonstrates a significant escalation of violence affecting the delivery of life-saving medical assistance.

The Road to Peace in Sudan

Sudan has been embroiled in instability since the removal of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The subsequent transitional government's short-lived success was undermined by a military coup in 2021, orchestrated by Gen. Burhan and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo of the RSF. The coup sparked renewed conflicts involving Al-Bashir facing charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over past atrocities, fueling an extremely fragile political environment amidst the current civil conflict and violence.

The RSF's Role and Humanitarian Crisis

The RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces commenced their fight in April 2023, igniting a conflict causing enormous humanitarian suffering. Allegations of ethnic targeting and widespread human rights abuses by the RSF, similar to past conflicts where Janjaweed groups were heavily implicated, add to the crisis and threaten to ignite further sectarian conflict. Families face famine and extreme hardship amidst widespread displacement, leaving the humanitarian situation increasingly critical. International actors and governments have been actively looking for and finding new strategies to coordinate aid delivery through safer means, and to facilitate safe transportation and evacuations for affected populations and vulnerable groups while also addressing security concerns amidst continuing violence and conflict.

Take Away Points

• The attack on the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in El Fasher highlights the horrific consequences of the Sudanese civil war.
• Seventy people died in this appalling attack, along with the injuring of a further 19, underscoring the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians.
• International efforts to resolve the crisis are underway, but their progress is hindered by several challenges, including unreliable information flow.
• The prolonged conflict and escalating violence demands international cooperation, resources, and coordination efforts to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable populations and enable delivery of much-needed aid to displaced and internally displaced communities in Sudan.