Sudan Hospital Attack Kills 64, Including 13 Children, WHO Reports Amid Escalating Conflict

Kathmandu. Attacks on health infrastructure in war-torn Sudan are becoming increasingly dire. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that at least 64 people were killed in an attack on a hospital in the Western Darfur region. Among the deceased were 13 children, underscoring the severe human cost of the conflict.

According to WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at least 89 people were injured in the assault on Al-Dain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur last Friday. Following the attack, the hospital became completely non-operational, creating a serious crisis in treating the injured and the sick.

Sudan has been mired in a severe conflict since April 2023. The power struggle between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has escalated into a widespread war. During this conflict, civilian infrastructure, especially health facilities, has been repeatedly targeted.

Both sides have traded accusations regarding this latest hospital attack. The RSF claimed the attack was carried out by the army, while the army denied attacking the hospital.

However, two military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the attack was aimed at a nearby police station.

According to United Nations data, more than 40,000 people have died in the war so far, although various aid organizations suggest the actual number could be much higher. The WHO reports that more than two thousand people have lost their lives in attacks on health facilities alone since the war began.

In this context, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged an immediate de-escalation of the violent conflict in Sudan. He called for serious attention from the international community, stating, "Enough blood has been shed, enough pain has been endured, it is time to de-escalate the conflict."