A deadly drone attack struck one of the last functioning hospitals in El-Fasher, Sudan’s Darfur region, killing 67 people and injuring dozens, local activists and medical sources revealed on Saturday. “Thirty-seven of those injured in the drone strike yesterday died today, bringing the number of victims up to 67,” a medical source told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation. The attack destroyed the emergency building of the Saudi Hospital, compounding the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Humanitarian Toll of Ongoing Conflict
The Sudanese conflict, which began in April 2023, has been marked by relentless battles between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has taken control of almost the entire Darfur region, while the Sudanese army, alongside allied militias, continues to resist. Since May, the RSF has besieged El-Fasher, North Darfur’s capital, without fully capturing the city. The toll on civilians is catastrophic, with reports of famine, displacement, and indiscriminate attacks on vulnerable populations.
Last Friday, heavy artillery shelling killed eight people at Abu Shouk displacement camp, according to the Darfur General Coordination of Camps for the Displaced and Refugees. The United Nations has called on both sides to prioritize the safety of civilians, with Seif Magango, UN rights office spokesman, stating, “The people of El-Fasher have suffered so much already.”
RSF Drones: A New Weapon of Devastation
RSF drones have become a game-changer in the ongoing conflict. According to medical sources, an RSF drone had targeted the Saudi Hospital weeks prior, causing significant destruction. Between December 9 and January 14, Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab documented the presence of three advanced drones at RSF-controlled Nyala Airport, approximately 200 kilometers south of El-Fasher.
The report identified these as Chinese-made drones capable of electronic surveillance and warfare, with the potential to carry air-to-ground munitions. However, it remains unclear which countries supplied them. Allegations have repeatedly surfaced accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of arming the RSF, including supplying drones. UN experts deemed these claims “credible” in December 2023, despite Abu Dhabi’s denials.
The UAE assured the Biden administration last year that it was “not now transferring any weapons” to the RSF. Yet, two US lawmakers disclosed last week that the UAE continues to provide arms to the RSF, despite its promise. The US recently declared the RSF’s actions in Darfur as “genocide,” adding to the international condemnation.
What Lies Ahead for Sudan?
The conflict in Sudan shows no signs of abating, as both sides refuse to engage in meaningful peace talks. With the RSF deploying advanced weaponry and the army struggling to maintain control, civilian lives remain on the line. The recent attack on the Saudi Hospital underscores the devastating impact of modern warfare on vulnerable communities.
As allegations against the UAE and other external players mount, who truly bears responsibility for the suffering in Sudan?
