A BBC investigation has found that hospitals in Sudan were deliberately targeted by fighters from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking a significant escalation in attacks on medical infrastructure during the country’s conflict. The findings underscore the risks faced by civilians and health workers in contested areas.
The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, said the multiple attacks documented in the investigation may amount to war crimes. Türk’s assessment highlights the potential for serious violations of international humanitarian law, which protects medical facilities, patients and health personnel in armed conflict.
Targeting hospitals undermines civilian access to essential care and can have lasting consequences for public health. Under international law, medical facilities are afforded special protection, and deliberate attacks on them are prohibited. The BBC’s reporting adds to mounting concerns from humanitarian organizations and rights bodies about the conduct of hostilities in Sudan.
The investigation’s findings are likely to increase pressure for independent inquiries and accountability measures. International legal experts and aid agencies typically call for thorough, impartial investigations when medical facilities are attacked, both to establish facts and to deter further violations.
Humanitarian groups have repeatedly warned that continued assaults on health infrastructure exacerbate already severe needs among civilians, complicating efforts to deliver life-saving assistance. The BBC report and the UN human rights chief’s statement may influence diplomatic and legal responses as governments and international institutions consider next steps.