الدعم السريع: اتهامات بنهب وتدمير مستشفى سودري شمال كردفان

• Doctors accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of destroying and looting Sodari city hospital in North Kordofan state on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
• This alleged act has deprived over 50,000 families of medical treatment, according to the Sudan Doctors Network.
• The Sudanese Army and its allies recaptured Sodari on Friday, a town previously controlled by the RSF since April 15, 2023.
• The Sudan Doctors Network stated the Sodari Rural Hospital's infrastructure, equipment, and medical devices were targeted, turning it into ruins.
• Targeting health facilities is considered a direct assault on the right to healthcare and undermines the health system's capacity to serve civilians.

The alleged destruction and looting of the Sodari hospital by the Rapid Support Forces raise serious concerns regarding potential violations of international humanitarian law.

Doctors have leveled serious accusations against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), alleging the destruction and looting of the hospital in Sodari city, located within North Kordofan state. This alleged act, reported on Saturday, September 26, 2026, has reportedly left more than 50,000 families without access to medical treatment. The incident highlights the severe impact of the ongoing conflict on critical civilian infrastructure, particularly medical facilities in regions like North Kordofan.

The accusations emerged shortly after the Sudanese Army and its allies successfully recaptured Sodari on Friday, following intense battles against the RSF. This strategic town, situated in the far western part of North Kordofan state, had been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces since the initial months of the war, which commenced on April 15, 2023. The recovery of the area by the army has brought to light the extent of the damage inflicted during the prolonged occupation and subsequent fighting.

Platforms aligned with the Sudanese Army have disseminated video footage purporting to show the significant devastation and sabotage that befell the medical facility in Sodari. These visuals reportedly depict the hospital as one among several service facilities in the town that suffered destruction and widespread looting, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the damage to public services. The targeting of the Sodari rural hospital, a vital healthcare provider, represents a critical blow to the region's already fragile medical infrastructure amidst the ongoing conflict in North Kordofan.

Further details regarding the alleged assault on the healthcare system were provided by the Sudan Doctors Network, which issued a statement condemning the actions. According to the network, the Sodari Rural Hospital in North Kordofan state, which previously served over 50,000 families before the outbreak of hostilities, endured an attack and systematic looting by the Rapid Support Forces. This assault reportedly targeted the hospital's fundamental infrastructure, its essential medical equipment, and various devices crucial for patient care.

The network's statement emphasized that the facility has been rendered completely unusable, effectively transformed into ruins. This extensive damage has directly deprived local citizens of access to basic health services, which are desperately needed given the severe humanitarian and health challenges currently afflicting the region. The destruction of such a vital institution exacerbates the already dire conditions faced by the population, leaving a significant void in healthcare provision.

The Sudan Doctors Network explicitly stated that the targeting and looting of health facilities, alongside the destruction of their equipment, constitutes a direct infringement upon the fundamental right to receive healthcare. Such actions severely undermine any remaining capacity within the health system to deliver essential services to the civilian population, particularly in areas grappling with intense conflict and humanitarian crises. The accusations from the Sudan Doctors Network underscore the profound and lasting impact of such incidents on public health and welfare.

The alleged destruction and looting of the Sodari hospital by the Rapid Support Forces raise serious concerns regarding potential violations of international humanitarian law. Under these laws, medical facilities, personnel, and transport are specifically protected during armed conflicts, and their targeting can constitute war crimes. The systematic dismantling of a hospital's infrastructure and the theft of its equipment directly contravene principles designed to safeguard civilian life and ensure access to medical care in times of war.

Legal professionals are increasingly focused on documenting such incidents, as they may serve as critical evidence for future accountability efforts. The reported actions in Sodari, including the deprivation of essential health services for tens of thousands of families, align with patterns of conduct that could be investigated as grave breaches of international law. The destruction of hospitals in conflict zones, particularly when they are civilian facilities, is a clear affront to the protections afforded under treaties like the Geneva Conventions.

This incident underscores the urgent need for adherence to international humanitarian law in Sudan, particularly concerning the protection of medical infrastructure. The deliberate targeting of hospitals not only inflicts immediate suffering but also has long-term consequences for public health, hindering recovery and stability in affected areas. Documenting these alleged acts, such as the destruction of hospitals in Sudan, is crucial for building a case against those responsible for potential war crimes and ensuring justice for victims.

The events in Sodari are emblematic of the wider challenges facing medical facilities and humanitarian operations across Sudan, particularly in regions like North Kordofan. The strategic importance of Sodari, evident from the intense fighting for its control, highlights how civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, often becomes collateral damage or even direct targets in the broader conflict that erupted on April 15, 2023. The prolonged control of the town by the Rapid Support Forces before its recapture by the army suggests a period during which such damage could have occurred.

This incident also signals increased operational risks for humanitarian organizations and medical aid providers striving to deliver assistance in conflict-affected areas of Sudan. The alleged destruction and looting of the Sodari hospital demonstrate the extreme dangers faced by healthcare workers and facilities, making it increasingly difficult to maintain essential services. Such acts not only directly harm the local population but also deter international and local aid groups from operating in volatile environments, further exacerbating humanitarian crises.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan continues to have a devastating impact on the civilian population, with medical infrastructure frequently bearing the brunt of hostilities. The reported state of the Sodari hospital, reduced to ruins and stripped of its equipment, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for all parties to the conflict to respect the neutrality of medical facilities and protect civilians. The challenges posed by the conflict in North Kordofan, particularly concerning medical facilities, demand immediate attention and adherence to international norms.

This incident highlights potential violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes by the Rapid Support Forces, which legal professionals should document for future accountability efforts. It also signals increased operational risks for humanitarian organizations and medical aid providers in conflict-affected areas of Sudan.

Source: Original reporting via Sudan Tribune