A deadly strike on Al Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur has left dozens dead and the facility inoperable. The World Health Organization has condemned the attack. The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
At least 64 people were killed and 89 others injured when Al Daein Teaching Hospital was struck on Friday, according to the World Health Organization. The casualties included 13 children, medical staff, and patients, with the hospital’s pediatric, maternity, and emergency units among the areas damaged.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported the attack on social media, stating the hospital is now non-functional. He noted that the strike has further strained an already fragile healthcare system in the region.
The World Health Organization has documented 213 attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan since the conflict began nearly three years ago, resulting in over 2,000 deaths. Millions have been displaced, and aid agencies describe the situation as one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
Shortages of medical care and essential services have become widespread as fighting continues. Ghebreyesus called for an immediate end to the violence, saying,
“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,”
in a statement posted online.
Responsibility for the hospital bombing remains contested between the warring parties. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of carrying out the attack, intensifying tensions between the two groups.
The Sudanese military has denied involvement, issuing a statement on Saturday asserting its commitment to international law. The SAF accused the RSF of a pattern of targeting healthcare and essential services, stating,
“Attacking service and healthcare facilities is a consistent approach and a daily practice carried out by this terrorist militia [RSF], which has committed massacres in El Fasher, as well as crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing,”
and alleging that RSF forces have bombed hospitals and targeted infrastructure in several cities.
The conflict in Sudan has led to the displacement of millions, with families forced to flee violence and seek safety elsewhere. Aid organizations continue to warn of dire shortages in medical supplies, food, and clean water as the fighting disrupts daily life.
Attacks on hospitals and other civilian infrastructure have made it increasingly difficult for residents to access basic services. The international community has repeatedly called for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers amid the escalating violence.