Strike on Sudan Hospital Kills 64, Including 13 Children and Healthcare Workers

Strike on Sudan Hospital Kills 64, Including 13 Children and Healthcare Workers

A deadly strike on Al-Daein Teaching Hospital in Sudan’s East Darfur region has killed at least 64 people, including 13 children, two female nurses and one male doctor, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed.

The attack struck the hospital on the evening of Friday 20 March — during Eid al-Fitr celebrations — injuring a further 89 people, including eight healthcare staff.

The facility’s paediatric, maternity and emergency departments were severely damaged, leaving the entire hospital non-functional. This has cut off essential medical services for the local population in an area already facing extreme humanitarian challenges.

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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the incident as part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on healthcare during Sudan’s ongoing civil war. In a post on X, he stated:

“Enough blood has been spilled. Enough suffering has been inflicted. The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan and ensure the protection of civilians, health workers, and humanitarians. Health care should never be a target. Peace is the best medicine.”

The hospital lies in Al-Daein (also spelled El-Daein or Al Deain), capital of East Darfur state, an area under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of carrying out a drone strike. Sudan’s military denied targeting the hospital, insisting any action was aimed at a nearby police station.

No independent verification has yet identified the perpetrator definitively, though drones have been widely used by both sides in the conflict.

This marks the 213th verified attack on healthcare facilities since the war between the SAF and RSF began in April 2023. Such incidents have now claimed more than 2,000 lives in total and injured hundreds, further crippling Sudan’s already fragile health system amid widespread displacement, famine risks and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Under international humanitarian law, hospitals, medical personnel and patients are protected and must never be targeted. Deliberate attacks on healthcare can constitute war crimes.

Humanitarian organisations, including WHO and others, have called for an immediate halt to violence against civilians and health infrastructure. They urge all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and prioritise de-escalation to prevent further loss of life.

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