HOSPITAL BOMBED – 30,000 Flee South Sudan!

The assault on South Sudan’s hospital leaves chaos in its wake, as violence spirals and forces thousands to flee.

At a Glance

• At least seven people died when a hospital and market were bombed in South Sudan.
• Helicopter gunships attacked the hospital’s pharmacy, while a drone bombed a local market.
• The United Nations and international mediators demand a ceasefire to prevent further civilian harm.
• More than 30,000 civilians displaced as tensions rise between South Sudan’s political factions.

Destruction of Healthcare in Jonglei State

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that the hospital in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, was bombed by helicopter gunships, leading to seven deaths and 20 injuries. The only healthcare center in Fangak county, serving over 110,000 residents, has been rendered useless, with its medical supplies decimated. MSF condemned the attack, labeling it a “clear violation of international humanitarian law.”

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The assault didn’t stop at the hospital. A drone continued the offensive by bombing the local market, intensifying the damage and chaos in the region. Local authorities, including Fangak County Commissioner Biel Boutros Biel, attribute the aircraft to government forces, accusing them of targeting Nuer-populated areas as part of an ethnic-driven campaign.

Political Tensions and Ethnic Conflict

No direct comment has been issued by South Sudan’s government following the attacks. Tensions are intensifying between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar, as fears of returning to civil war loom. In recent speeches, the head of the army referenced punitive strikes after incidents linked to Machar’s factions. Additionally, a government directive now marks nine counties as hostile, increasing the risk of ethnic strife.

“The government is using natural resources to kill its own people because of their identity as Nuer,” Biel said, describing the volatile situation and linking the attacks to the region’s ethnic dynamics. Biel’s accusations reflect wider concerns of identity-based targeting, amid propaganda labeling Fangak as a “hostile” region.

International authorities, including embassies and the EU, have urged South Sudan to de-escalate before the situation spirals further. The arrest of Machar in March, accused of inciting rebellion, further complicates the diplomatic landscape and exacerbates internal tensions.

Calls for Ceasefire and Protection of Civilians

Rights groups and international mediators are urgently calling for the protection of civilians and humanitarian facilities. These demands come amid the imminent threat of devolving into genocidal conflict reminiscent of the 2013 civil war. Past peace deals have seen limited success in curbing militia activities or formalizing electoral processes, leaving South Sudan teetering on a knife-edge.

“This attack has severely compromised our ability to provide lifesaving care in Old Fangak – the only hospital serving over 110,000 people in the area,” MSF lamented, highlighting the vulnerability of the South Sudanese people who now find themselves without medical support.

Displacement of over 30,000 civilians marks just the beginning of a potential refugee crisis. As the situation remains volatile, South Sudan’s calls for conflict cessation and dialogue grow ever more urgent, with international stakeholders pressuring for immediate detente.