Sudan conflict kills civilians in hospital and mosque attacks

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 reportedly 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 strikes 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 more than four million who have fled to neighboring countries.

The situation in El Fasher is dire. Residents are trapped, terrified, and cut off from aid; the city’s population has fallen by 70 % in the past six months, and thousands of families have fled 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, but safe humanitarian access and civilian protection are urgently needed.

The conflict 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 Sudan’s humanitarian crisis and ensure the protection of civilians.