Sudanese Paramilitary Attack on Hospital in El-Fasher Kills 460

On October 28, 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, attacked the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El-Fasher, North Darfur, resulting in the deaths of over 460 individuals, including patients and their companions. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed these fatalities and expressed deep shock over the incident. (who.int)

Eyewitnesses reported that RSF fighters systematically killed everyone present in the hospital wards. (apnews.com) This assault is part of a broader pattern of violence by the RSF in the region, including mass executions, ethnically targeted killings, and sexual assaults. (apnews.com) The RSF has acknowledged "abuses" and stated that an investigation is underway. (apnews.com)

The conflict between the RSF and Sudanese military has led to over 40,000 deaths and displaced more than 14 million people. (apnews.com)

The RSF evolved from the Janjaweed militias, notorious for their role in the Darfur conflict during the early 2000s. Formed in 2013, the RSF was integrated into Sudan's security apparatus and has been implicated in numerous human rights violations, including ethnic-based attacks and sexual violence. (apnews.com)

El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has been a focal point in Sudan's ongoing civil war, which erupted in April 2023 due to a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. The conflict has led to widespread atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence, particularly targeting non-Arab ethnic groups. (apnews.com)

The attack on the Saudi Maternity Hospital has profound social and societal implications:

• Humanitarian Crisis: The conflict has led to over 40,000 deaths and displaced more than 14 million people, creating one of the world's largest internal displacement crises. (apnews.com)

• Healthcare System Collapse: Targeting medical facilities exacerbates the collapse of an already fragile healthcare system, leaving civilians without essential medical services. (who.int)

• Ethnic Tensions: The RSF's actions have intensified ethnic tensions, particularly targeting non-Arab communities, leading to fears of ethnic cleansing and genocide. (apnews.com)

The international community has responded with condemnation and calls for accountability:

• United Nations: The UN's top humanitarian official in Sudan reported that the RSF is preventing life-saving aid from reaching famine-hit areas in Darfur. (apnews.com)

• United States: The U.S. has condemned the RSF for attacks on civilians and called for accountability. (apnews.com)

• African Union: The AU has accused both the SAF and RSF of massive human rights violations and called for an immediate ceasefire. (apnews.com)

This is not the first time the RSF has been implicated in attacks on medical facilities. In January 2025, the RSF hit the Saudi Maternal Teaching Hospital in El-Fasher with drones, resulting in at least 70 deaths. (apnews.com) The recent attack is part of a pattern of targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and markets. (apnews.com)

The escalation of violence in Darfur, particularly the targeting of medical facilities, underscores the urgent need for international intervention to address human rights violations and protect civilians. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to deepen, with millions displaced and in need of aid. The international community must act swiftly to prevent further atrocities and support efforts toward a peaceful resolution.