At least 64 people were killed, including at least 13 children, when a strike hit a hospital in Sudan’s western Darfur region last week, according to the World Health Organization.
The attack on Al Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur also injured at least 89 people and left the facility non-functional. The head of the WHO, Tedros Ghebreyesus, made this announcement on X.
Sudan plunged into chaos in April 2023 when a power struggle between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted into war across the country.
The RSF has blamed the military for the hospital strike, while the army denies it. Two military officials said the attack was aimed at a nearby police station, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on discussing the matter publicly.
More than 40,000 people have died in the conflict, according to U.N. figures, though aid groups believe this is an undercount and the actual number could be much higher. The WHO reports over 2,000 deaths from attacks on medical facilities since the war began.
“Enough blood has been spilled. Enough suffering has been inflicted. The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan,” said Tedros Ghebreyesus.