An investigation finds that RSF fighters systematically destroyed hospitals in el-Fasher during the Sudanese civil war.
A new investigation reveals that paramilitary fighters in Sudan systematically destroyed the healthcare system in el-Fasher. These Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters targeted hospitals during a long siege of the city. The attacks occurred over a period of more than a year.
UN human rights officials call these findings deeply disturbing. They state that attacking civilian health facilities violates international law. These actions may even amount to war crimes. The RSF denies all these accusations.
The RSF health minister claims the reports are simply propaganda. He says the national army uses these claims to smear their reputation. However, journalists documented at least 43 separate attacks on medical sites between 2024 and 2025.
Next, the investigation highlights the human toll on medical staff. Data shows that 55 workers died during the conflict. Another 120 staff members suffered injuries. At least 10 people were abducted or went missing.
Doctors report that the RSF wanted to shut down hospitals to force citizens to leave. They believe the attacks were planned and deliberate. The violence turned el-Fasher into one of the most brutal chapters of the civil war.
Meanwhile, the hospital closures caused a medical crisis. When one facility shut down, staff moved to another location. Soon, those alternate sites also faced shelling and drone attacks. The RSF appeared to track patient movements closely.
After that, the situation grew even worse for the remaining doctors. One surgeon described performing operations by phone light during a bombing. Staff built bunkers to protect patients from the relentless shelling.
Finally, the RSF stormed the main hospital in October 2025. Reports suggest a massacre took place on the hospital grounds. The RSF denies these claims, but satellite images show evidence of mass casualties. The city's medical infrastructure remains in ruins today.