The massacre at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, Sudan, has become a focal point of condemnation and horror in response to the brutal actions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). On October 28, reports indicated that over 450 civilians were murdered—a tragic chapter that has drawn international attention. The World Health Organization confirmed the incident, asserting this facility was the last operational hospital in the city, crucial for local populations seeking medical care amid a dire humanitarian crisis.
A spokesperson from the Sudan Doctors Network provided chilling insight, stating, “The RSF cold-bloodedly killed everyone found inside Saudi Hospital, including patients, their companions, and other people who were in the wards.” The nature of this attack underscores the ruthless tactics employed by the RSF, a paramilitary group that has gained notoriety for its violent actions since seizing control of El Fasher.
The collapse of El Fasher represents a significant shift in the ongoing conflict that has engulfed Sudan since 2023. For over 500 days, residents faced a relentless siege, leading to systematic starvation and the collapse of essential services. As the humanitarian situation deteriorated, satellite imagery analyzed by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab revealed gruesome evidence of violence, with “mounds of bodies and traces of spilled blood” visible outside the hospital. Such alarming data reinforces the staggering scale of the atrocities occurring.
Survivors of the attack shared harrowing testimonies, painting a grim picture of the aftermath. A displaced resident, Hussein, described the desolation, stating, “There were dead bodies in the streets with no one to bury them.” Another survivor, Hayat, recounted the traumatic loss of her teenage son, who was killed by RSF fighters. The human toll of the RSF’s operations does not just encompass immediate killings but extends to the psychological scars left on families and communities.
The World Health Organization expressed its strong condemnation of the massacre, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calling the attack “an obscene violation of humanitarian law.” As reports indicate, nearly 260,000 civilians, including 130,000 children, remain trapped in the conflict-ridden town, with routes for escape closed off or extremely perilous. Aid organizations observe that around 36,000 have managed to flee, yet the overall situation continues to worsen.
The RSF’s methods have reached levels described as calculated and malicious. By surrounding El Fasher with barriers, they effectively created a “kill box,” trapping civilians in a dangerous environment. Not only have they engaged in mass killings, but reports of sexual violence and the targeting of children have emerged, highlighting the breadth of their assaults. Emi Mahmoud, a poet and U.N. goodwill ambassador, encapsulated the desperation felt by many, stating, “There will be no one left to save if this continues.”
Despite the overwhelming evidence presented from survivors and organizations documenting war crimes, the international community’s response has been slow and lackluster. A recent emergency session of the United Nations Security Council concluded without adopting any binding measures to address the humanitarian plight in El Fasher, prompting further calls for action from local representatives seeking an investigation into the “genocide of the inhabitants of El Fasher.”
The medical infrastructure in Sudan is now in complete disarray. Prior to the massacre, the Saudi Hospital was already on the brink of collapse, with doctors performing life-saving surgeries under dire circumstances. “They are heroes, honestly,” said Dr. Mohamed Faisal Elsheikh of the Sudan Doctors Network, highlighting their unwavering commitment amidst chaos. Now, with health facilities destroyed, even treatable ailments could lead to death in the increasingly desperate conditions.
As international aid agencies scramble to meet the needs of the displaced, communities show signs of severe distress. Tawila, for example, which was already home to hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals, is struggling to care for new arrivals. John Ocheibi from the aid group ALIMA noted, “Women and children are arriving in terrible shape. Many haven’t eaten in days.” Such statements illustrate the catastrophic nature of this slowly unfolding humanitarian disaster.
With over 150,000 fatalities occurring since the conflict reignited, there is a critical call for accountability. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF leader, has publicly acknowledged “violations,” yet he claims no responsibility for the hospital massacre. This denial stands in stark contrast to the mounting evidence, including satellite analyses and survivor accounts, that strongly indicate the attack on the Saudi Hospital fits the definition of a war crime.
The pressing question looms: Will the international community take a stand to halt these atrocities? Nathaniel Raymond from Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab underscored the urgency, asserting, “This isn’t just a humanitarian failure—it’s a crisis of indifference.” The situation in El Fasher calls for immediate attention, as time runs out for those trapped in this brutal conflict.
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