Hundreds of individuals, including patients, staff, and visitors, lost their lives in a hospital due to attacks by paramilitary forces. The death toll in the Sudanese city has surpassed 1,500, earning it the grim title of “hell on Earth.”
Reports from people fleeing the war-torn western city of el-Fasher in Sudan’s North Darfur province paint a horrifying picture of atrocities committed by fighters who took control of the provincial capital. The Saudi Maternity Hospital witnessed the tragic deaths of 460 patients on Tuesday at the hands of the Rapid Support Forces, as stated by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization.
Witnesses recounted how RSF fighters, as part of their offensive on el-Fasher, went door to door, assaulting and shooting civilians, including women and children. Many lost their lives to gunshot wounds on the streets while attempting to escape the violence.
The prolonged conflict in Sudan has claimed the lives of over 40,000 individuals, though this figure is believed to be an underestimate by human rights organizations. With more than 14 million people displaced, Sudan faces one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. The capture of el-Fasher by an influential Arab-led force has reignited concerns about the potential division of Africa’s third-largest nation, reminiscent of the split that led to South Sudan’s independence.
Eyewitness accounts and reports from aid workers shed light on the brutal acts carried out by the RSF after seizing Darfur’s last military stronghold following a lengthy siege. The Sudan Doctors Network revealed that RSF fighters mercilessly targeted everyone inside the Saudi Hospital, from patients to their companions, leaving a trail of devastation.
Acknowledging the “abuses” committed by his forces, RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo confirmed the launch of an investigation following the fall of el-Fasher. However, details about the investigation remain scarce.
Footage shared online by Darfur’s governor purportedly shows RSF fighters inside the Saudi Hospital, where bodies lie in pools of blood. The harrowing testimonies of survivors, like Umm Amena and Tajal-Rahman, depict a scene of terror, with reports of torture, beatings, and sexual assaults by the RSF.
Thousands have fled el-Fasher in recent days, with many seeking refuge in rural areas. The situation has been described as a “killing field,” with widespread violence driven by ethnic and political differences. The influx of traumatized individuals, including orphaned children, has overwhelmed local hospitals and aid organizations, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
Despite efforts to document the atrocities through satellite imagery, the true scale of the mass killings remains difficult to ascertain. The recent surge in violence has added to the already staggering death toll, underscoring the urgent need for intervention to prevent further bloodshed in the region.