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Drone Attack Kills Dozens at Sudan’s Only Functioning Hospital in Darfur
A deadly drone attack on a hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan, has killed at least 30 patients and injured dozens more, as the conflict in Darfur intensifies.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-25
Drone Attack Kills Dozens at Sudan’s Only Functioning Hospital in Darfur

A horrific drone strike on one of the last remaining hospitals in Sudan’s Darfur region has claimed the lives of at least 30 patients, most of whom were in the emergency department at the time of the attack. The Saudi Hospital in el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, was targeted on Friday, though it is still unclear who was behind the attack.

Ongoing Attacks on Healthcare Facilities

This is not the first time the Saudi Hospital has been targeted. According to medical sources quoted by AFP, the same facility was hit by a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) drone in a previous attack just weeks ago. The RSF has been involved in the ongoing conflict with the Sudanese army since April 2023. The latest assault on the hospital has resulted in widespread casualties, with some reports claiming more than 70 patients, including women and children, have been killed.

The regional governor, Mini Minawi, posted graphic images of the aftermath, showing bloodied bodies and survivors in shock.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Darfur

The attack highlights the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in Darfur, where attacks on healthcare facilities have been rampant. According to Doctors Without Borders, the Saudi Hospital is one of the only remaining medical centers with surgical capacity still operational in the area. Across Sudan, approximately 80% of healthcare facilities have been rendered non-functional due to the ongoing war.

Since the outbreak of conflict, more than tens of thousands of people have been killed, and millions displaced. Half of Sudan’s population now faces hunger, with famine already affecting three displacement camps in Darfur and expected to spread to more regions, including el-Fasher itself, by May.

Escalating Conflict

The Sudanese army has been at war with the RSF, a powerful paramilitary group that controls much of the western region of Darfur. The conflict began in April 2023 following disputes over the integration of the RSF into the national army. Although the RSF has laid siege to el-Fasher since May, army-aligned groups have managed to push back their advances, preventing them from fully capturing the city.

Despite the horrific toll on civilians, the Sudanese army claimed success this week, stating that it had broken the RSF’s siege of its headquarters in Khartoum and expelled the paramilitary forces from the al-Jili oil refinery. The RSF, however, rejected these claims as propaganda, accusing the army of spreading falsehoods to boost morale.

The Urgent Need for International Attention

The situation in Sudan remains critical, with the civilian population suffering due to the violence, destruction of healthcare infrastructure, and widespread hunger. The international community has been urged to step up efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and bring an end to the conflict.

 
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