Over 460 killed as RSF reportedly attacks maternity ward in Sudan

Tragedy struck in Sudan’s North Darfur region over the weekend as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) allegedly launched a brutal assault on a maternity ward in El-Fashar, resulting in the deaths of more than 460 patients and their companions.

According to local reports, the victims included women, newborns, and medical staff who were trapped during the attack. Witnesses described the incident as one of the deadliest assaults since the conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) erupted in 2023.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Sudan Doctors’ Network said RSF fighters “cold-bloodedly killed everyone they found inside the Saudi Hospital, including patients, their companions, and anyone else present in the wards”.

The massacre took place as the RSF took control of the city of el-Fasher after a brutal 18-month siege marked by mass starvation and heavy bombardment.

The attack also followed recent attacks and the abduction of health workers.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday said five of its local staff working as volunteers in Bara, North Kordofan state, were also killed.

Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said the organisation is “appalled and deeply shocked” by the reports.

“Prior to this latest attack, WHO has verified 185 attacks on health care in Sudan with 1204 deaths and 416 injuries of health workers and patients since the start of the conflict in April 2023,” Ghebreyesus said in a statement.

“Forty-nine of these attacks occurred this year alone, killing 966 people.

“All attacks on health care MUST STOP immediately and unconditionally. All patients, health personnel and health facilities must be protected under International Humanitarian Law.”

The RSF began fighting the Sudanese army in April 2023, following disputes over the integration of the two forces.

The group has since taken over the capital, Khartoum, and most of western Sudan.

The United Nations (UN) estimates more than 30 million people in Sudan urgently need humanitarian assistance — one of the largest displacement and hunger crises in the world.