Fresh clashes in El Fasher leave over 100 injured and 22 dead

May 25, 2024 (EL-FASHER) – The death toll from Friday’s clashes between the Sudanese army, armed movements, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has risen to 22, with over 110 injured, according to Ibrahim Abdallah Khater, General Director of Health in North Darfur State.

The majority of victims are women, children, and the elderly from El Fasher neighbourhoods and shelter centres. The South Hospital, a key medical facility serving five Darfur states, is overwhelmed with the influx of patients.

Despite operating around the clock with support from Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and the state, the hospital faces a severe shortage of medicines and equipment due to transportation difficulties from Port Sudan. Approximately 80% of medical supplies are provided by international and national organizations.

Khater reported that the state’s health system is under immense strain. The specialized children’s hospital was rendered inoperable after being occupied and looted by the RSF. A temporary replacement in Babiker Nahar Center was also bombed. The teaching hospital is also caught in the crossfire between the army and RSF.

Only four hospitals—South Hospital, Saudi Hospital, Military Hospital, and Police Hospital—and some health centers remain operational in the state.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that two weeks of clashes in El Fasher have resulted in 85 deaths and approximately 700 injuries. The city, a historical capital of the Darfur region, has been engulfed in escalating violence since May 10, raising international alarm for the safety of residents and displaced persons.