WHO condemns deadly attack on el-Daein Teaching Hospital as civil war continues to devastate civilians
A drone strike on a major hospital in Sudan killed 64 people, including 13 children, two nurses, and a doctor, and wounded 89 others during Eid celebrations, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday.
The strike targeted el-Daein Teaching Hospital, a critical medical facility in East Darfur, a city currently controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The WHO said the hospital is now non-functional following the attack.
Crisis Amid Ongoing Civil War
Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war since April 2023, when a power struggle erupted between the military and the paramilitary RSF, who had previously allied in a 2021 coup. The conflict has killed over 150,000 people and displaced around 12 million, making it one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the targeting of medical facilities, tweeting:
“Health care should never be a target. Peace is the best medicine.” He noted that over the nearly three-year war, WHO has confirmed 2,036 deaths in 213 attacks on healthcare facilities, including the el-Daein strike.
Responses and Investigations
The RSF claimed an army drone carried out the attack, causing extensive damage to the top floor, emergency department, and vital medical equipment.
The Sudanese military denied responsibility, stating it follows international norms and laws.
Local rights groups and the Emergency Lawyers organization are calling for an independent investigation and accountability for those responsible.
Escalating Conflict in East Darfur
East Darfur borders the Kordofan region, a frontline where near-daily drone strikes are reported. The area serves as a corridor linking RSF-controlled western Darfur to Khartoum, which was retaken by the army last year.
Despite US-led peace efforts, no end is in sight, and this year’s Eid celebrations were muted, reflecting the ongoing danger faced by civilians.
The attack on el-Daein Teaching Hospital highlights the deadly humanitarian impact of Sudan’s war and the urgent need for protection of civilians and medical infrastructure.
Source: BBC