Tragedy in Sudan's El Fasher as drone attack kills children at Mosque

The ongoing war in Sudan has claimed numerous lives and left many injured. It has further rendered various infrastructures and healthcare systems nonfunctional.

The recent attack on Monday resulted in numerous deaths, with children bearing the brunt of the violence.

According to Adele Khodr, UNICEF- Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa, at least eight children, including an 18-month-old baby, were killed in a drone attack on a mosque in El Fasher, North Darfur, on Monday.

Nine other children were injured in the attack. The mosque had been serving as a community kitchen, providing food to vulnerable children and their families.

On her X handle, Adele condemned the killing of children in Sudan.

"Credible reports indicate that over 400 children have been maimed in El Fasher since May 2024. The senseless killing of children must end. We urge all parties to take every possible measure," said Khodr.

In the attack, The El Tijaniya mosque, including its Koran school and charity kitchen, was hit. Nine children, including an infant, were killed. The 11 wounded were taken to a hospital for treatment.

More than 50 people have died and at least 74 others have been wounded by missiles in the past two weeks.

Since February, El Fasher, particularly in the north and east, has been besieged. Those who did not flee the city are enduring continuous shelling by the paramilitaries.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) reported on Monday that thousands in the North Darfur capital are on the brink of famine. "Expanded hostilities in El Fasher would bring greater misery," the group warned.

The RSF's attacks and battles with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Darfur rebel combatants fighting alongside the army in El Fasher have left hundreds dead and wounded.

In mid-June, the UN Security Council adopted a British-drafted resolution demanding the RSF cease its blockade of El Fasher.

Many fear a "catastrophic bloodbath" if the RSF takes full control of the city, as this could ignite strife between the Arab tribesmen supporting the RSF and the large Zaghawa tribe, from which most North Darfur rebel fighters hail.

Last month, El Fasher endured multiple attacks, including one that targeted the only functional hospital, leaving civilians vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

Since the war began in Sudan in April 2023, the conflict has displaced about 7.6 million people, resulting in over 13,000 deaths and 26,000 injuries.

According to United Nations agencies more than 8.6 million people have been forcibly displaced, with 25 million in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

Severe hunger affects 18 million people, including five million at emergency levels, while 3.5 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, representing one in seven children in Sudan.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a collapse of Sudan's healthcare system, with 70% of facilities in conflict zones non-functional.

WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier described the situation as critical, with only 20-30% of health facilities operating minimally, particularly in hard-to-reach areas facing acute shortages of staff, medicines, vaccines, and supplies.

Medical supplies meet just 25% of the country's needs, endangering patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and kidney failure. Disease outbreaks are rampant, with over 1.3 million malaria cases, 11,000 cholera cases, 4,600 measles cases, and 8,500 dengue cases reported.