Sudan's Paramilitary Forces Raid and Loot Key Darfur Hospital, Forcing Closure

In a distressing development from Sudan's Darfur region, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has been reported to attack and loot the South Hospital in al-Fasher, North Darfur's capital, on Sunday. This assault led to the hospital's closure, as confirmed by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The RSF's actions included firing upon medical staff and patients, causing significant damage to the facility and forcing an evacuation of the premises.

Local media outlets have circulated images showing the hospital's deserted wards and corridors, with visible damage to patient beds, medical equipment, and blood stains on the floor. Despite these challenges, the military was reportedly able to expel RSF fighters from the hospital premises. Michel Lacharite, head of emergency operations at MSF, condemned the attack as "outrageous," highlighting that such violence within a hospital setting is intolerable.

At the time of this attack, the hospital was operating with a reduced staff and only ten patients, as MSF and the Sudanese health ministry had already initiated patient evacuations and transfers of medical services to other facilities. Fortunately, most patients and medical staff, including those from MSF, managed to escape the violence. The discovery of two bodies within the hospital by MSF staff further underscores the attack's severity.

The World Health Organization has criticized the RSF's actions, noting that the South Hospital's closure has severely impacted al-Fasher's healthcare capacity. With this facility being the only one in al-Fasher capable of performing surgeries, its shutdown has overloaded the city's remaining hospitals. Martin Griffiths, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, expressed his horror at the escalating violence in al-Fasher through a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), emphasizing its devastating effect on civilians.

This incident is part of a broader offensive by the RSF to seize control of al-Fasher, a key military stronghold in Darfur. Recent weeks have seen intensified fighting in the area, resulting in over 120 deaths. The military has responded by forming alliances with rebel groups to maintain control over al-Fasher, which has become a refuge for hundreds of thousands displaced by the conflict.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April last year due to rising tensions between military leaders and the RSF, has plunged the country into chaos. With over 14,000 people killed and thousands more injured, Sudan faces a dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations has warned of a potential famine in Darfur and other regions if humanitarian aid is not allowed access. Moreover, Sudan's displacement crisis is now considered the world's largest, with over 10 million people forced from their homes.

Reports of widespread sexual violence and atrocities committed by both sides have emerged, with the United Nations accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. The RSF, originally formed from Janjaweed militias known for their brutal campaign in Darfur two decades ago under ex-President Omar al-Bashir's regime, continues to be implicated in severe human rights violations.