Bombing of Al-Dayat Hospital in Omdurman Raises Alarms
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly bombed Al-Dayat Hospital in Omdurman, causing extensive damage to the facility and surrounding areas. This attack, which occurred on Friday, has raised serious concerns about the targeting of health facilities amid ongoing conflict in Sudan. The Sudanese News Agency reported multiple shells landing in the vicinity, leading to widespread destruction. The Khartoum State Health Emergency Committee has condemned the bombing, emphasizing the urgent need for protection of civilian infrastructure during warfare.
Health Crisis Amid Ongoing Conflict
Mohamed Ibrahim, head of the Khartoum State Health Emergency Committee, highlighted that this is not the first instance of the RSF targeting health services. He noted that Al-Dayat Hospital, the largest specialized hospital in Sudan, had previously been looted extensively for its medical equipment. Despite this, health personnel remain committed to providing care, and the committee is urging international organizations to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law to safeguard civilian facilities during conflicts. The situation underscores the dire state of healthcare in Sudan, where the war has led to a significant humanitarian crisis.
Ceasefire Negotiations in Jeddah
As the situation in Sudan escalates, a delegation from the Sudanese government has arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to engage in discussions with American mediators regarding the upcoming ceasefire negotiations scheduled for mid-October in Geneva. These talks, initiated by Washington, aim to facilitate dialogue between the Sudanese army and the RSF, with the involvement of key regional and international observers, including the African Union, Egypt, the UAE, and the United Nations. With the conflict, which began in April 2023, resulting in over 11 million displaced individuals and a staggering 25.6 million facing acute food insecurity, the urgency for a resolution has never been more critical.
