Hundreds of individuals, including patients, staff, and visitors, lost their lives in a hospital in a Sudanese city where the death toll has now surpassed 1,500. The city, described as “hell on Earth,” witnessed atrocities carried out by paramilitary forces, resulting in a tragic outcome.
Reports from people fleeing the western city of el-Fasher in war-torn Sudan have highlighted the brutal actions of fighters who took control of the provincial capital of North Darfur. The UN confirmed that 460 patients were killed at Saudi Maternity Hospital by members of the Rapid Support Forces during the recent events.
Witnesses recounted how the RSF fighters conducted a violent campaign in el-Fasher, going door to door, assaulting and shooting residents, including women and children. The resulting chaos led to numerous fatalities, with some individuals succumbing to gunshot wounds on the streets as they tried to escape the turmoil.
The ongoing power struggle in Sudan has claimed the lives of over 40,000 people in the past two years, although human rights organizations believe this number is likely underestimated. This conflict has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 14 million individuals. The seizure of el-Fasher by a dominant Arab-led faction has reignited concerns of potential further division in Africa’s third-largest nation.
Eyewitness accounts from Sudanese residents and aid workers have shed light on the heinous acts committed by the RSF following their capture of the last army stronghold in Darfur after an extended siege. The Sudan Doctors Network reported that the RSF ruthlessly targeted everyone at the Saudi Hospital, showing no mercy towards patients, their companions, or any individuals present in the facility.
Acknowledging the reported abuses by his forces, RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo mentioned that an investigation was initiated following the fall of el-Fasher. However, details about the investigation were not provided by him.
Governor Mini Minawi shared a video online depicting RSF fighters inside the Saudi Hospital, showing a scene of devastation with bodies strewn across the floor. The footage captured the ruthless actions of the fighters, including shootings and other violent acts.
The situation in el-Fasher has prompted a massive exodus of over 36,000 individuals, primarily seeking refuge in rural areas surrounding the city. Reports from new arrivals indicate widespread violence driven by ethnic and political rifts, with disturbing accounts of vulnerable individuals being targeted and killed.
The aftermath of the conflict has left a trail of trauma and suffering, with hospitals like the one in Tawila receiving numerous patients with injuries from bombings and shootings. The influx of malnourished and dehydrated children, many orphaned or separated from their families, further underscores the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
Recent assessments by the Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab have corroborated the ongoing atrocities committed by the RSF in el-Fasher. Satellite imagery has revealed instances of mass killings in various locations, raising concerns about the true extent of the violence.
The UNICEF representative to Sudan described the situation in el-Fasher as a catastrophe, emphasizing the plight of thousands of children already facing disease and famine prior to the city’s takeover by the RSF. The lack of communication channels has made it challenging to ascertain an accurate death toll, with reports suggesting that the actual number of casualties could be higher than reported.
Before the recent escalation of violence, a significant number of civilians had already lost their lives in North Darfur, with a notable portion of fatalities occurring in el-Fasher. The gravity of the situation has prompted international attention and calls for urgent humanitarian intervention to address the escalating crisis.