Hospital Strikes in Sudan’s Darfur Region Kill at least 70 as Health Crisis Worsens
Elenathan Kassa
Staff Writer
The World Health Organization said that a hospital strike in Sudan’s Darfur region has killed at least 70 people, including 13 children, according to the Associated Press. The strike, which took place during Eid at Al Daein Teaching Hospital, injured 89 others and destroyed the hospital’s infrastructure, BBC reported.
More than 2 million people in the eastern part of Darfur and the surrounding areas relied on the hospital. Now rendered out of service, patients must now travel 160 kilometers to reach the nearest one, a situation Health Policy Watch described as a devastating blow to the nation’s already fragile health care system, citing data from the World Health Organization (WHO). This is especially concerning as heavy flooding and rain have compounded the public health crises by creating major outbreaks of cholera and malaria.
When asked on the topic, WHO head Tedros Adhanom said, “Enough blood has been spilled. Enough suffering has been inflicted. The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan and ensure the protection of civilians, health workers, and humanitarians.”
The Sudan war began in April 2023 when clashes between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) escalated into war. According to Health Policy Watch, the war has been a significant hotspot for foreign involvement, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and Turkey supporting the SAF, and the UAE supporting the RSF. This involvement is driven by the aim to secure regional influence, gold mines, and increased access to the Red Sea.
After 3 years, the Sudanese civil war has claimed 250,000 lives according to DW However, this figure is suspected to not represent the real number due to significant underreporting. The conflict shows a disturbing pattern in which civilian architecture and places are consistently attacked. 2,000 deaths are a result of over 200 attacks on medical facilities. As a result, only 60% of Sudan’s clinics are operational.
Additionally, 14 million people have been displaced, and half of Sudan’s 51.8 million people are currently facing hunger, per DW. The conflict has also been characterized by mass sexual violence and mass killings. It is currently the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
The actors behind the strikes remain unknown. According to the Associated Press, the RSF has blamed the military for the attack. Although the Sudanese military has denied the accusations, two military officials said that the attacks were meant to target a nearby police station. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, they were unable to clarify more on the matter. Meanwhile, a Reuters report indicates that the UN has also stated there is not enough evidence to attribute any blame but has warned that the war has involved consistent use of drones on civilian sites that count as war crimes. Citing UN data, Reuters added that 500 civilians have been killed in drone strikes in 2026 alone, most of which took place in the Kordofan region.
Health care workers have also been greatly affected, with data from Health Policy Watch revealing that at least 186 have been killed, 112 arrested, and 15 kidnapped during this conflict.
However, local volunteer groups and international organizations are coordinating efforts to relieve this disaster. Health Policy Watch further reports that the WH and other organizations are creating healthcare sites to support 40,000 people over the next 3 months.
Image courtesy of Getty Images.
