On the evening of April 12, as Muslims across Sudan marked the joyous conclusion of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr celebrations, a devastating drone strike tore through El-Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the attack claimed 64 lives—including 13 children, two nurses, and one doctor—and left 89 others injured. The strike, which occurred during a sacred holiday and targeted a critical medical facility, has sparked global condemnation and renewed calls for international intervention in one of the world’s deadliest ongoing conflicts.
WHO Confirms High Casualty Toll from Hospital Attack
In a strongly worded statement issued via social media platform X, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the hospital strike as part of a disturbing pattern of violence against medical infrastructure.
“Enough blood has been spilled,” Dr. Tedros wrote. “The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan and ensure the protection of civilians, health workers, and humanitarians.”
He emphasized that the El-Daein Teaching Hospital is no longer operational following the attack and added that over the course of the nearly three-year-long conflict, the WHO has verified 213 separate attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in 2,036 deaths. This systematic targeting of lifesaving institutions underscores the dire conditions faced by millions of displaced and vulnerable Sudanese citizens.
Sudan Conflict Background: From Coup to Civil War
Origins of the Power Struggle Between Army and RSF
The current crisis traces back to April 2023, when simmering tensions exploded into full-scale civil war between Sudan’s national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both groups initially came to power together through a military coup in October 2021, ousting then-transitional Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. However, disagreements over the structure of a future civilian government and control of state resources eventually led to open warfare.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, approximately 150,000 people have lost their lives, and roughly 12 million—nearly a third of Sudan’s total population—have been forced from their homes, according to estimates compiled by the United Nations. Many are living in overcrowded refugee camps or makeshift shelters without adequate access to clean water, food, healthcare, or education. International observers have labeled this crisis the world’s worst humanitarian emergency.
Strategic Significance of East Darfur Region
Why El-Daein Became a Battlefield Target
El-Daein serves as the regional capital of East Darfur and sits strategically along key supply routes linking western regions controlled by the RSF with areas still held by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), including the capital Khartoum. After SAF forces retook Khartoum in late 2024, the Kordofan borderlands became a new frontline, witnessing frequent exchanges of artillery fire and aerial bombardments, often involving drones.
Local advocacy groups such as the Emergency Lawyers Collective have reported that both sides routinely disregard international humanitarian law, especially regarding protections for hospitals and schools. In a press release following the April 12th attack, they stated that El-Daein Teaching Hospital served not only urban residents but also rural communities stretching across several provinces, making it indispensable for regional survival.
Military Denials and Blame-shifting Intensify
Who Is Responsible for the Drone Attack?
While the RSF swiftly blamed Sudanese army forces for launching the drone strike that devastated the hospital, the SAF responded with a formal denial, asserting compliance with international laws governing armed conflict. A spokesperson for the military expressed surprise at being accused of the assault and reaffirmed its commitment to minimizing harm to civilian installations.
Meanwhile, satellite imagery and witness accounts suggest significant damage consistent with an explosive device detonated above the building. Independent verification remains difficult due to restricted access for journalists and aid workers in Darfur.
Calls for Accountability and International Response
Human Rights Groups Demand Justice
Organizations monitoring human rights violations in the region have urged immediate action from the UN Security Council and member states involved in diplomatic mediation efforts, particularly the United States and Saudi Arabia.
“Healthcare should never be a target. Peace is the best medicine,” Dr. Tedros reiterated in his address.
Despite these appeals, prospects for meaningful progress remain dim. With neither side showing willingness to negotiate seriously, hundreds of thousands continue to face daily threats ranging from starvation and disease to arbitrary detention and sexual violence.
- WHO confirms 64 people killed in El-Daein hospital drone attack, including 13 children.
- Over 150,000 have died since Sudan's civil war erupted in April 2023.
- More than 12 million people have been displaced amid intensifying battles between SAF and RSF.
- The WHO reports 213 verified attacks on healthcare facilities, with 2,036 fatalities.
- Both factions deny responsibility for destroying El-Daein Teaching Hospital during Eid.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened at El-Daein Teaching Hospital?
- A drone strike hit El-Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur during Eid prayers on April 12, killing 64 people and injuring dozens more. The hospital now reportedly cannot function.
- Which groups are fighting in Sudan's civil war?
- The conflict involves the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), former allies who turned against each other in April 2023 over political control.
- How many people have been affected by the Sudan conflict?
- Approximately 150,000 people have died and around 12 million have been displaced since the start of the conflict in 2023, creating the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
