Military Base Established at Hospital in Sudan’s West Kordofan by Armed Group

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has drawn international attention due to its devastating humanitarian impact, with medical facilities increasingly targeted amid the chaos. In a disturbing turn of events, the Rapid Support Forces have repurposed a hospital in West Kordofan for military use, highlighting a profound violation of the sanctity of healthcare during wartime. This situation not only jeopardizes the health and safety of civilians but also underscores the urgent need for meaningful interventions to restore peace in the region.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been reported to have transformed a significant portion of Al-Nuhud Hospital in West Kordofan, Sudan, into a military command center and barracks since they assumed control of the city over five months ago, according to a statement from the Sudan Doctors Network. This notable NGO asserts that the RSF, which stands in fierce opposition to the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the ongoing three-year civil war, has obstructed the hospital’s vital function of delivering healthcare to the community.

In a recent Facebook statement, the organization condemned what it described as a “blatant violation of the sanctity of medical institutions,” emphasizing the detrimental effects on the civilian population’s right to essential treatment. The statement also pointed out that due to the ongoing violence, many medical personnel in the area have either fled or been accused of collaborating with the military, exacerbating the already critical shortage of healthcare workers at the hospital.

Since April 2023, the conflict between the SAF and RSF has spiraled into a dire humanitarian crisis, which the United Nations has characterized as the world’s largest. The fighting has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.

In the town of Tawila, located in Sudan’s western Darfur region, reports have emerged of hundreds of unaccompanied children arriving since the RSF seized control of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, last month. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) disclosed that at least 400 children have made this journey without their parents, with the actual number potentially being much higher as the conflict continues.

The RSF’s takeover followed an 18-month siege on el-Fasher, which had severely restricted the delivery of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. The paramilitary group has faced accusations of mass killings and other forms of violence in their operations, and the SAF has been similarly charged with committing atrocities during the conflict.

In an effort to de-escalate the situation, the United States has recently put forth a ceasefire proposal to Sudan’s warring factions, yet neither side has formally agreed to the terms. The RSF unilaterally declared a temporary halt to hostilities, aligning with U.S. interests, but the SAF later reported repelling an attack in a new combat zone in West Kordofan.

Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has called upon U.S. leadership to facilitate peace, appealing for international engagement to end the war. Following encouragement from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, former U.S. President Trump has expressed a commitment to working toward a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis that has overshadowed Sudan for too long. The hope remains that with concerted international efforts, a viable path toward stability can be established amidst the turmoil.

#WorldNews #MiddleEastNews