An attack on the Saudi Hospital in El-Fasher, located in western Sudan’s besieged Darfur region, has resulted in the deaths of 70 individuals, with 19 others injured, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Sunday.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the assault, noting that the hospital was crowded with patients when the attack occurred.
“The appalling attack on Saudi Hospital in El Fasher… led to 19 injuries and 70 deaths among patients and companions,” Ghebreyesus wrote on social media.
Saudi Arabia also condemned the assault, labelling it a violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
The kingdom called for the protection of medical and humanitarian workers and urged restraint in the ongoing conflict.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a violent conflict between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The RSF has laid siege to El-Fasher since May, although militias loyal to the army have successfully thwarted repeated attempts to capture the city.
The war has devastated Sudan, leading to tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 12 million people.
Widespread famine has also gripped the country, with many families in the west and south struggling to survive on grass and animal fodder.
