CAIRO — A deadly airstrike on a hospital in Sudan’s western Darfur region has resulted in at least 64 deaths, including 13 children, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Saturday. The strike hit the Al Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur on Friday, also injuring at least 89 people and rendering the hospital non-functional.
The Attack and Its Impact
The attack occurred during the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has been in turmoil since April 2023. The power struggle between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) exploded into a full-blown war, devastating the country.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, confirmed the strike in a post on X, adding that healthcare facilities have been severely impacted by the violence.
Who Is to Blame?
The RSF has blamed the military for the attack on the hospital, while the Sudanese army has denied involvement. Two military officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the matter, stated that the strike was actually targeting a nearby police station.
The Ongoing Conflict in Sudan
Since the war began, more than 40,000 people have been killed, according to U.N. figures. However, aid groups believe this number may be much higher, as the true death toll could be significantly underreported.
The WHO also reported that over 2,000 people have been killed in attacks on medical facilities since the conflict began.
Calls for Peace
Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for an immediate de-escalation, saying, “Enough blood has been spilled. Enough suffering has been inflicted. The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan.”
