The World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned the reported mass killing of more than 460 patients and companions at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, Sudan. Witnesses and humanitarian agencies report that Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters stormed the hospital which is the only partially functioning medical facility in the besieged city, abducting health workers and executing patients and their attendants.
“WHO is appalled and deeply shocked by the brutal attack on health workers and patients in El Fasher,”
— Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
El Fasher has faced months of intense fighting as RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) battle for control of Darfur. The Saudi Maternity Hospital, previously a crucial hub for maternal and emergency care, had also served as a refuge for civilians. Reports indicate that armed RSF units raided the hospital compound, seizing medical personnel and killing those unable to flee, including women and children.
A Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Darfur
According to WHO data, at least 185 verified attacks on health services have occurred across Sudan since April 2023, leading to over 1,200 deaths among health workers and patients. The collapse of healthcare infrastructure, displacement of over 800,000 people, and acute shortages of medicine and food have created a humanitarian emergency in El Fasher and surrounding areas. Humanitarian agencies warn that malnutrition is surging, and disease outbreaks could escalate amid unsafe conditions and blocked supply routes. The city remains under siege, with minimal access for medical aid and relief organizations.
Analysts suggest that the attack reflects RSF’s broader military strategy to dismantle government-aligned institutions and assert dominance in North Darfur. By targeting hospitals, the group cripples both public morale and critical infrastructure, making recovery nearly impossible. WHO reiterated its call for immediate protection of health facilities and workers under international humanitarian law.
