Airstrike Destroys South Sudan Hospital, Killing Seven Amid Rising Civil War Fears

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

At least seven people lost their lives and 20 others sustained injuries after a deadly airstrike hit a hospital in Old Fangak, South Sudan, on Saturday, escalating fears that the nation may plunge back into civil war.

The hospital, run by the international medical aid group Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders – MSF), was the last remaining operational health facility in the area. The attack also destroyed the pharmacy, cutting off access to lifesaving treatment for thousands of residents in northern South Sudan.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), MSF wrote: “Stop the bombing. Protect civilians. Protect healthcare.” The charity called for immediate protection of medical workers and urged all parties involved in the conflict to respect international obligations.

The motive behind the bombing remains uncertain. The identity of the aircraft responsible for the attack has also not been confirmed.

International observers and aid organizations have warned that growing political divisions among South Sudan’s top leaders could reignite the devastating civil war that first erupted in 2013.

The United Nations has recently sounded alarms, warning that the country stands at a dangerous tipping point. The destruction of the hospital not only deprives civilians of healthcare but also signals a troubling escalation in the conflict.

Thousands of residents in Old Fangak and surrounding areas now face life-threatening conditions without access to medical assistance. Humanitarian groups have called on the international community to intervene and ensure the protection of civilians and aid workers.