At least 20 civilians have been killed in attacks on a mosque and a hospital in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state in Sudan. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group is reported to have opened fire on the Saudi hospital and a local mosque, where displaced families had sought refuge, on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Saudi hospital is the last functioning medical facility in the city, serving thousands of people affected by the conflict.
The United Nations humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, has strongly condemned the attacks, stating that civilians must never be targeted. The UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA, reported that Tuesday’s attack on the hospital’s maternity ward killed 12 people and injured many others, including patients and health workers. This marks the third attack on the hospital in one week.
El Fasher has been under siege for over a year, with the RSF intensifying artillery shelling and drone attacks in an effort to capture the city. The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 30 million people in need of assistance. Around 12 million people have been displaced, including over four million who have fled to neighboring countries.
The situation in El Fasher is dire, with people trapped, terrified, and cut off from aid. The city’s population has plummeted by 70% in the past six months, with thousands of families fleeing to nearby towns. Humanitarians are calling for safe access, greater protection of civilians, and an immediate humanitarian pause in and around the city.
The UN and its partners remain committed to supporting the people of El Fasher and across Sudan. However, the need for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians is urgent. The conflict in Sudan is compounded by communal clashes, with recent incidents reported in the town of Kernoi, near the Chadian border. The international community is urged to take immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and ensure the protection of civilians.