Airstrike Hits Hospital in South Sudan's Jonglei State, Aid Group Reports Major Losses

Sudan. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has reported an airstrike on a hospital in South Sudan's Jonglei state that was providing healthcare to over 200,000 people. MSF stated that most of the supplies needed to provide medical services were lost as the hospital's main warehouse was destroyed during the attack.

The organization clarified in a statement that the South Sudanese government's armed forces are the only armed group in the country capable of conducting airstrikes. According to the United Nations, months of ongoing conflict in South Sudan have increased fears of a resurgence of civil war in the country.

Heavy fighting has occurred in Jonglei, located on the border with Ethiopia and in the east of the country, where government forces are attempting to repel attacks by fighters loyal to the Sudan People's Liberation Army.

The organization reported that one of its staff members sustained minor injuries in the airstrike on the hospital in Lankien. It was also reported that the hospital was evacuated and patients discharged a few hours prior to the potential attack after receiving prior warning.

Last month, the South Sudanese army ordered the evacuation of three counties in Jonglei state, ordering civilians and staff of United Nations missions and humanitarian organizations to leave before taking action against opposition forces.

The United Nations mission stated that at least 180,000 people have been displaced in Jonglei due to the recent fighting. The civil war in South Sudan between 2013–2018 claimed the lives of approximately 400,000 people.