Sudan: Targeted attack on mosque, hospital kills 20 people
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Representational (Reuters photo).
El Fasher/Sudan: In multiple attacks carried out this week by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in the El Fasher area of Sudan, targeting a mosque and a hospital, at least 20 people were reportedly killed.
El Fasher is the conflict-ridden capital of North Darfur state in Sudan.
The attacked hospital is identified as the Saudi hospital, which is the last functioning medical centre in the city, according to the United Nations.
UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, reported that the RSF group opened fire at the Saudi hospital and a mosque on Tuesday and Wednesday. The two locations have been hosting refugees.
OCHA wrote on X, “OCHA strongly condemns recent reported attacks in E Fasher, North Darfur. Artillery shelling reportedly carried out by the Rapid Support Forces on Tuesday and Wednesday struck the Saudi Hospital and a mosque where displaced families were sheltering, killing at least 20 civilians. The Saudi Hospital is the last functioning medical facility in the city, serving thousands of war-affected people.”
EL Fasher is the last region currently under the control of the Sudanese government in the Khartoum region. Last year, famine was declared here.
OCHA said that civilians must never be attacked and added that it repeats the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call for an immediate stoppage of hostilities, according to Maktoob Media.
According to the UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA, Tuesday’s attack targeted the maternity ward of the Saudi Hospital and killed 12 people. The attack was the third on the hospital in a week, UNFPA says.
UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said during the daily media briefing in New York that people in El Fasher are trapped, terrified and cut off from aid, while their last lifeline for medical care is under threat.