Abdu-Rabbu Ahmed, a laboratory technician at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan, has expressed a profound sense of loss and despair after witnessing a recent massacre allegedly carried out by paramilitary forces. He claims to have lost his colleagues and friends amid the violence that has escalated since a civil war erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Reports indicate that the RSF gained control of el-Fasher after an 18-month siege, culminating in a violent assault on the hospital. Ahmed, now in a displaced persons camp in Tawila, described harrowing scenes as medical staff faced continuous attacks, including shelling and airstrikes. Many healthcare workers were reported missing after the RSF’s final offensive, with Ahmed claiming that some of those who remained at the hospital may have been executed.
A World Health Organization statement condemned the alleged killings of at least 460 patients and staff at the hospital, along with the abduction of six health workers. Meanwhile, the RSF has rejected these allegations as disinformation, asserting that the hospital had been deserted. They released a video purportedly showing hospital staff continuing to provide care, claiming that the medical personnel are not hostages.
Accounts from Ahmed and other survivors suggest that many faced grave dangers while fleeing to Tawila, with reports of civilians allegedly being targeted and detained by the RSF. Activists and medical groups have corroborated reports of the massacre, using satellite imagery to support claims of bodies being disposed of at the hospital.
Dr. Mohamed Elsheikh from the Sudan Doctors Network highlighted the ongoing threat posed by the RSF, citing ransom demands for abducted health workers, further exacerbating the situation for those still in the region. As the conflict continues, many displaced individuals, including children, now face an uncertain future in makeshift camps.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx31ezjr04o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss