At least seven people have been killed and 20 others injured following aerial attacks on a hospital and market in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, South Sudan, according to the international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
The organization has condemned the assault as a “clear violation of international humanitarian law.”
MSF reports that helicopter gunships bombed the pharmacy of the only hospital in Fangak County—an area home to more than 110,000 people—before strafing the town for approximately 30 minutes. The hospital, run by MSF, was clearly marked with the organization’s logo and its coordinates had been shared with all warring parties.
In addition to the hospital strike, MSF confirmed that a drone bombed the local market, compounding the devastation and heightening fears of renewed civil conflict in the region.
All medical supplies were destroyed,” said MSF spokesperson Mamman Mustapha. “We are still trying to verify the full extent of the damage and loss, but local witnesses have identified the aircraft as government helicopters.”
As of now, the South Sudanese government has not issued a statement regarding the incident.
The attack has intensified concerns over the fragile peace in South Sudan, where tensions have been escalating despite ongoing efforts to stabilize the region.
