RSF Drone Attack on El Fasher Hospital Kills 70, Destroys Emergency Department

Jan 26, 2025, 04:26 AM

A drone attack on the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan, killed at least 70 people and injured 19 others. The hospital, one of the last functioning medical facilities in the besieged city, was targeted by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to local officials. The attack, which occurred on Friday, destroyed the hospital's emergency department, which was packed with patients at the time. Among the victims were women and children. The World Health Organization (WHO) condemned the attack, emphasizing the critical role the hospital played in providing essential healthcare services in the region, including gynecology, internal medicine, and pediatrics. The attack comes amid a prolonged RSF siege of El Fasher and reports of RSF battlefield losses. The ongoing conflict between the RSF and Sudanese military, which began in April 2023, has devastated healthcare infrastructure, with 80% of facilities reportedly out of service. The WHO has called for an end to attacks on healthcare workers and facilities, urging the restoration of damaged medical services.