Massacre at Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher Escalates Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

On October 28, 2025, the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan, was attacked, resulting in the deaths of over 460 patients and their companions. The World Health Organization (WHO) condemned the incident, highlighting the abduction of six health workers—four doctors, a nurse, and a pharmacist—on the same day. (WHO)

This attack occurred amid escalating violence in El Fasher, where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had recently seized control, leading to mass killings and significant displacement of civilians. (Reuters) The RSF has been accused of ethnically driven violence, with reports of mass executions and abductions following their takeover of the city. (Le Monde) The Saudi Maternity Hospital was the last partially functioning hospital in El Fasher, and its attack has further collapsed the region's fragile health system. (WHO)

The conflict in Sudan escalated in April 2023, leading to a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, became a focal point due to its strategic importance. The RSF, originally formed from the Janjaweed militias known for their role in the Darfur conflict of the early 2000s, has been implicated in numerous human rights violations. (Le Monde)

On October 28, 2025, the Saudi Maternity Hospital, the only partially functioning hospital in El Fasher, was attacked for the fourth time in a month. This assault resulted in the deaths of over 460 patients and their companions. Additionally, six health workers—four doctors, a nurse, and a pharmacist—were abducted. (WHO)

The international community has strongly condemned the attack. The United Nations Security Council expressed deep concern over the increased likelihood of large-scale atrocities, including those that may be ethnically motivated. (Reuters) France and South Africa also condemned the RSF's actions, emphasizing the need for the protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law. (French Government)

The attack has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation. Over 6,200 pregnant women and tens of thousands of civilians remain trapped without access to medical or humanitarian aid. Women and girls face extreme risks, including sexual violence, while the absence of lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services leaves them without care or protection. (UNFPA) The RSF's control of El Fasher has led to mass killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement, with reports indicating that at least 2,000 people have been killed. (Le Monde)

The attack on the Saudi Maternity Hospital and the broader violence in El Fasher have profound social implications. The targeting of healthcare facilities disrupts essential services, leading to increased mortality and morbidity. The abduction of health workers not only deprives the community of critical medical expertise but also instills fear among remaining staff, potentially leading to further attrition. The ethnically driven violence perpetrated by the RSF threatens to deepen societal divisions and perpetuate cycles of retribution and conflict.

The massacre at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher is a stark reminder of the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Immediate international intervention is crucial to protect civilians, restore healthcare services, and address the underlying causes of the conflict to prevent further atrocities.