Medical and human rights organizations have condemned a deadly attack on Al-Kuweik, also known as Kouik, Military Hospital in Sudan’s South Kordofan state, describing the incident as a possible war crime amid the country’s escalating conflict.
The attack, which took place on February 5, killed at least 22 people, including the hospital’s director and four nurses, according to reports from Anadolu Agency, Sudan Tribune, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Eight other people were wounded, several of them critically.
Alleged Drone or Shelling Attack
The Sudan Doctors Network and the Sudanese Medical Association accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces of carrying out the attack, saying the hospital was struck by drone fire or heavy shelling during a broader military offensive in the region.
The strike occurred just 24 hours after a similar assault on a health center in the nearby city of Kadugli, where 15 people were killed, including seven children, reinforcing claims by medical groups that healthcare facilities are being systematically targeted.
“Flagrant Violation of International Law”
In a statement issued after the attack, the Sudan Doctors Network described the bombing as a war crime and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, which explicitly prohibits attacks on medical personnel and medical infrastructure.
The repeated assaults have forced several hospitals across South Kordofan to suspend operations, leaving large civilian populations without access to emergency care, surgery, or basic medical services.
Growing Humanitarian Emergency
The destruction of healthcare infrastructure has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation. The United Nations and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification have warned that famine-like conditions are emerging in South Kordofan due to prolonged sieges, mass displacement, and the collapse of essential services.
Aid organizations report severe restrictions on access to food, clean water, and medical supplies, particularly in areas surrounding Kadugli and Dilling, where heavy fighting continues.
Strategic Frontline in Sudan’s War
South Kordofan has become one of the most critical frontlines in Sudan’s civil war, as the Sudanese Armed Forces attempt to break long-standing sieges imposed by the Rapid Support Forces on major towns in the region. Civilians remain trapped between advancing forces, with few routes for escape or humanitarian assistance.
International Calls for Action
International medical organizations have called on the United Nations and global powers to take urgent steps to protect Sudan’s remaining healthcare system. Since the conflict began in April 2023, the World Health Organization has verified hundreds of attacks on healthcare facilities across Sudan, making it one of the world’s most dangerous countries for medical workers.
Despite repeated warnings, accountability for attacks on civilian infrastructure has remained limited, raising fears that violations will continue unchecked.
