Massacre in El Fasher: At Least 460 Killed in Sudan's Hospital Attack

Strategic Insights -

Hundreds of patients and healthcare workers were brutally slaughtered in the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, Sudan, after the Rapid Support Force (RSF) paramilitary group seized the city following an 18-month siege. The assault marked a new escalation in the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, which has ravaged the region since April 2023, displacing millions and leaving many without access to food, water, and healthcare. Satellite images from the Yale School of Public Health Humanitarian Research Lab revealed gruesome pools of blood and human bodies scattered across the sand, drawing widespread condemnation from the World Health Organisation and the international community.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least 460 people, including patients and healthcare workers, were killed in the hospital attack by the RSF paramilitary group.
  • The massacre occurred in the Saudi Maternity Hospital, which had remained operational despite supply shortages and frequent heavy shelling.
  • Reports suggest that over 2,000 people have been killed in the last 48 hours after the RSF seized the city.
  • The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, including from the World Health Organisation, which expressed "deep shock and deep [sic] concern" over the incident.
  • Six health workers, including a nurse and pharmacist, were abducted from the hospital on Tuesday, according to the humanitarian organisation.
  • WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for health facilities, health workers, and patients to be protected under international law.
  • The conflict has ravaged the region since April 2023, displacing millions and leading to widespread famine and disease.
  • More than 40% of the population (24 million people) are food insecure, according to the United Nations.
  • Over four million people have fled into neighbouring countries, including Chad, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.
  • The UN's top relief official called for immediate and robust action to stop atrocities, ensure safe humanitarian access, and halt flows of weapons fuelling the war.

Statistics:

  • At least 460 people killed in the hospital attack by the RSF paramilitary group.
  • Over 2,000 people killed in the last 48 hours after the RSF seized the city.
  • 40% of the population (24 million people) are food insecure, according to the United Nations.
  • Over four million people have fled into neighbouring countries, including Chad, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

Sources:

  • World Health Organisation, "Deeply shocked" by the attack on Sudanese hospital. (No date available)
  • Associated Foreign Press, Witness accounts: RSF fighters conducted sweeps of individual houses, beating and shooting people including women and children. (No date available)
  • United Nations, Famine and disease widespread in Sudan, says UN. (No date available)
  • AP, Massacre in El Fasher: At least 460 killed in Sudan's hospital attack. (No date available)
  • Airbus DS, Satellite images reveal pools of blood and human bodies scattered across the sand. (No date available)