Sudan Hospital Attack: 60+ Killed, Including Children – Darfur Conflict Escalates
At least 60 people, including 13 children, were killed in an attack on a hospital in Sudan on Friday, March 21st, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The attack targeted the University Hospital in El-Daein, the capital of East Darfur state, resulting in the deaths of medical personnel and patients, and damaging essential supplies.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the attack, stating that it involved “heavy weapons” and struck a secondary healthcare facility. He called for “guaranteeing the protection of civilians, healthcare workers and humanitarians” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The attack comes amid escalating violence in Sudan, which began in 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Recent months have seen a surge in deadly drone attacks targeting residential areas, schools, and hospitals.
The United Nations humanitarian office in Sudan expressed dismay over the hospital attack, reporting that it resulted in dozens of deaths, including children, and numerous injuries. Emergency Lawyers, an independent group documenting the conflict, confirmed the hospital targeted was the University Hospital of El-Daein.
El-Daein, currently under the control of the RSF, has been regularly targeted by the army as it attempts to push back the paramilitary forces from the central corridor of Sudan. A previous attack in El Daein earlier in March ignited barrels of petroleum, causing a prolonged fire.
The Sudanese army, in a statement carried by the official Suna news agency, affirmed its adherence to international norms and law. While not directly accusing the RSF of the hospital attack, the army characterized such actions as a “persistent practice and daily activity” of the paramilitary group.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 11 million people, creating what the UN describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Despite repeated condemnations from the UN, hospitals continue to be frequent targets.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pleaded for an end to the bloodshed and suffering, urging de-escalation of the conflict and the protection of civilians, healthcare workers, and humanitarian aid personnel.