JUBA, South Sudan — A devastating aerial bombing in South Sudan has claimed at least seven lives, targeting a hospital in a secluded region, as reported by Doctors Without Borders.
The affected medical facility is situated in the northern town of Old Fangak, approximately 475 kilometers (295 miles) from Juba, the nation’s capital. This hospital is vital as it provides healthcare to around 40,000 residents, including numerous individuals displaced by severe flooding.
According to Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French initials MSF, the bombing alarmingly began shortly after 4 a.m., destroying a pharmacy. The attack resulted in seven fatalities and injuries to 20 individuals. The incident has been condemned by MSF as a blatant violation of international law.
The motive behind the assault on the healthcare facility remains unclear, and attempts to receive comments from South Sudan’s military were unsuccessful.
Eyewitness reports indicate that additional strikes hit near a marketplace in Old Fangak hours later, leading to widespread fear and civilian displacement. Old Fangak is part of Fangak county, predominantly occupied by the Nuer ethnic group historically linked with the opposition faction supporting Riek Machar, South Sudan’s first vice president. Machar is currently under house arrest due to allegations of subversion.
Flooding has devastated the town since 2019, leaving residents with limited options to flee conflict. Witnesses describe residents escaping either by boat or wading through floodwaters on foot.
This attack marks an intensification in government efforts against opposition factions throughout the nation. From March onwards, governmental forces, with Ugandan military support, have executed numerous airstrikes on regions in nearby Upper Nile State.
Western embassies, including the United States, voiced concerns Friday, highlighting a considerable deterioration in South Sudan’s political and security landscape in recent days. They implore President Salva Kiir to release Machar from confinement and advocate for the swift resumption of dialogue to reach a political resolution.