In the besieged city of El Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region, over 130 people have lost their lives at a single hospital, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a medical charity. The ongoing civil war between rival groups has escalated recently, leading to a battle for control of the city. The situation on the ground has been described as "terrible," with violent artillery shelling targeting hospitals and markets, as reported by a resident to the BBC.

El Fasher, the last major urban center in Darfur under the control of Sudan's army, has become home to displaced individuals seeking refuge from fighting in other areas. However, clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been ongoing for over a year, resulting in the death of thousands and displacement of millions.

On May 10th, the RSF intensified their assault on El Fasher, marking, in the words of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, "an alarming new chapter" in Sudan's conflict. MSF highlighted the strain on their hospital, with South Hospital treating 979 casualties in just over two weeks, among which 134 individuals lost their lives. The charity emphasized that these numbers reflect the violent intensity of the ongoing fighting.

In addition to the grim casualty figures, supplies at the hospital are running low and are projected to last for only a week, according to the United Nations. The dire situation has been corroborated by Modther Ibrahim Suliman, the medical director of El Fasher's government-run Saudi hospital, who described the situation as "terrible." He noted that residential areas, markets, and hospitals were targeted by violent artillery shelling conducted by the RSF.

The Saudi and South hospitals are currently the only remaining functioning medical establishments in the region. Although El Fasher residents face increasing difficulties in accessing food and water, many choose to remain in their homes despite the ongoing fighting, even for emergency medical care. Journalist Mohamed Zakaria remarked that there is no viable place to flee to, as the roads are perilous and challenging.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, a UN expert recently cautioned that civilians in El Fasher were being targeted based on their ethnicity. Special adviser Alice Wairimu Nderitu further raised concerns of a growing risk of genocide in the entire Darfur region, as global attention remains focused on conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

As the civil war in Sudan's Darfur region intensifies, it is clear that urgent action is needed to protect the lives of civilians and address the rising humanitarian crisis. The international community must come together to condemn the violence and provide necessary support to those affected by the conflict.