Deadly Drone Attack in Sudan Hospital Claims 64 Lives During Eid Festivities

Sun Mar 22 2026 21:13:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A recent drone strike on el-Daein Teaching Hospital in Sudan has resulted in the death of 64 individuals, including children and medical staff, amidst ongoing civil conflict. The attack has drawn international condemnation and raises concerns over the protection of medical facilities in war zones.

On Eid al-Fitr, a drone strike attributed to Sudan's military claimed the lives of 64 people at el-Daein Teaching Hospital, prompting urgent calls from WHO for the protection of civilians and health care facilities in Sudan. The conflict has been ongoing since 2023, leading to immense humanitarian crises in the region.

On the night of Friday, March 22, a drone strike on el-Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur killed 64 individuals, including 13 children, two nurses, and a doctor, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 89 others were reported injured.

The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed outrage, stating, Enough blood has been spilled, and urging the combatants to cease hostilities that have continued for nearly three years. The hospital's functionality has been severely compromised, depriving thousands in the region of essential medical care.

The military forces of Sudan have denied involvement in the attack, asserting adherence to international laws. However, the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused the army of launching the strike during a time when Muslims were celebrating Eid.

This tragic incident sheds light on the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which began in April 2023 and has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and the displacement of around 12 million people. The UN has classified this crisis as the world's largest humanitarian catastrophe.

Tedros highlighted the broader implications of ongoing violence against medical facilities, noting that 2,036 individuals have been killed in over 200 attacks on health care during the conflict. He called for de-escalation and emphasized that health care should never be a target; stressing that peace is essential for healing and recovery.

The RSF reported that the attack had obliterated the hospital's upper floor and caused devastating damage to medical infrastructure. Calls for an independent investigation into the attack have echoed across humanitarian and legal circles, with the Emergency Lawyers group urging accountability for those responsible.

Despite international efforts at peace negotiations, the conflict shows no signs of resolution, marking a grim chapter in one of Africa's deadliest civilian crises. As the celebratory atmosphere of Eid was palpable across many communities, Sudanese people have faced muted observances due to ongoing violence.