Unprecedented chaos has engulfed el-Fasher, the state capital of North Darfur in Sudan, as the last functioning major hospital, South Hospital, has been forced to shut down after being attacked and looted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the Sudanese health ministry made the difficult decision to suspend all activities at South Hospital after armed RSF members seized the facility, even stealing an ambulance. This attack comes after weeks of assaults on the hospital from multiple sides.
Michel Lacharite, the head of emergencies at MSF, condemned the “outrageous” attack, emphasizing the vulnerability of remaining medical facilities in the face of potential mass casualties. The RSF has surrounded el-Fasher, leaving civilians trapped without clear escape routes.
The unfolding humanitarian crisis in el-Fasher has sparked fears of a massacre within the city. Residents are mobilizing for self-defense, with military groups arming civilians. The situation remains critical, with displaced Darfuris facing starvation and indiscriminate bombings.
Efforts to treat the injured are strained as medical supplies run low. Despite the dangers, dedicated medical staff continue to provide vital care, appealing for an end to the conflict. Rights groups have accused the RSF of heinous crimes, including genocide.