Doctors Without Borders Team Attacked in Khartoum, Operations at Risk

KHARTOUM: The Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charity said Friday its team was attacked in Khartoum, warning it may suspend operations at one of the few hospitals still operating in war-torn Sudan’s capital.

Armed Attack on MSF Team

Armed men on Thursday beat 18 MSF employees and threatened one with death as they were transporting supplies to Khartoum’s Turkish Hospital, the medical charity said in a statement. The Turkish Hospital is one of only two medical facilities still open in southern Khartoum, MSF said. It added both hospitals are in an area of the city controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which since April 15 have been fighting the regular army.

The war, led by feuding generals, has killed at least 3,000 people and displaced more than 3.3 million. Khartoum as well as the western region of Darfur have seen the worst of the violence.

Assault and Threats

After arguing about the reasons for their presence, the MSF team was “aggressively assaulted by a group of armed men, who physically beat and whipped them” while trying to reach the Turkish Hospital, the Geneva-based organization said. “They detained one of our drivers and threatened his life before releasing him. They also stole one of our vehicles.” The incident put their continued activities at the hospital in doubt, it added.

MSF says it is one of the few international medical humanitarian organizations still present in Khartoum. The incident occurred about 700 meters from the Turkish Hospital, which on the same day, MSF said, received 44 patients wounded in an airstrike. It said its activities in the hospital would not be able to continue without minimum safety guarantees.

“If an incident like this happens again, and if our ability to move supplies continues to be obstructed, then, regrettably, our presence in the Turkish Hospital will soon become untenable,” said Christophe Garnier, MSF’s emergencies manager for Sudan.

Intensifying Conflict

The fighting in Khartoum has intensified as warplanes pound residential areas to try to dislodge the RSF who set up bases there years ago. Both sides also exchange regular artillery fire. On Friday, more air raids shook several areas of Khartoum as well as the major city of El-Obeid 350 kilometers (220 miles) to the south, residents said.

The commercial hub is on the road connecting the capital to the vast western region of Darfur, a stronghold of the RSF that has also been gripped by deadly warfare. El-Obeid airport is coveted by both sides in the conflict for its storage facilities of both aid supplies and gum Arabic, a major Sudan export, although these stocks are likely to have been looted.

Impact on Medical Services

MSF said it has treated more than 1,600 war-wounded patients in Khartoum since the conflict began. The World Health Organization has verified 51 attacks on healthcare in Sudan since the conflict began, resulting in 10 deaths and 24 injuries.

The incident involving the attack on the MSF team highlights the precarious situation faced by medical professionals in Sudan. With limited medical facilities available and ongoing violence, the ability to provide essential healthcare services is severely compromised.

Call for Safety Guarantees

MSF has called for minimum safety guarantees to ensure the safety of its staff and the continuation of medical services. Without these guarantees, the organization warns that its presence in the Turkish Hospital may become untenable.

The international community must take immediate action to address the escalating violence in Sudan and protect medical facilities and personnel. It is crucial to ensure that the necessary resources and support are provided to organizations like MSF, who are working tirelessly to provide life-saving medical assistance to those affected by the conflict.

Conclusion

The attack on the MSF team in Khartoum is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by medical professionals in conflict zones. The ongoing violence in Sudan has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. It is imperative that all parties involved in the conflict prioritize the protection of medical facilities and personnel to ensure that essential healthcare services can be provided to those in need.