The Sudanese army has officially denied allegations that it was responsible for a deadly attack on el-Daein Teaching Hospital, during which 64 individuals, including 13 children, lost their lives this past Friday night. The hospital, located in East Darfur, was reportedly targeted while local Muslims were celebrating Eid, a significant event marking the end of Ramadan.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has expressed his outrage over the attack, which also left 89 others wounded. He took to social media, urging all involved parties to cease the violent conflict that has been devastating Sudan for nearly three years. Enough blood has been spilled, he stated.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), currently in control of the area, claimed that an army drone was responsible for the strike. In response, the army expressed surprise at the accusations, insisting it adheres to international law.
Dr. Tedros acknowledged that this incident is part of a growing trend where medical facilities are being attacked amid the ongoing civil war, which began in April 2023 as the military clashed with RSF factions that were once allies.
Over 150,000 individuals have reportedly died since the onset of the conflict, and with approximately 12 million displaced, the situation in Sudan has unfolded into what the UN describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
The RSF has stated that the attack severely damaged critical hospital infrastructure, leaving it unable to function and depriving countless civilians of essential health services.
Local human rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the incident, hopeful for accountability amidst the chaos troubling the region.
