At least four civilians, including a 9-month-old baby, were killed and 25 others injured when South Sudanese government forces bombed a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
According to MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders, the airstrike destroyed the hospital’s pharmacy and wiped out all medical supplies. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), MSF condemned the attack and called for an end to bombings, urging protection for civilians and healthcare infrastructure.
“This facility was the only source of lifesaving care for over 40,000 people. Attacks on medical facilities are unacceptable and a clear violation of international humanitarian law,” said Mamman Mustapha, MSF’s Head of Mission in South Sudan.
Fangak County Commissioner Biel Boutrus Biel confirmed that the bombing occurred around 4 a.m. and was carried out by two government gunships, a drone, and another aircraft. He blamed the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) for the strike, citing a prior statement from SSPDF spokesperson Gen. Lul Ruai warning of military action in Fangak and other areas.
Commissioner Biel described the strike as deliberate and targeted, alleging that over 30,000 people were displaced by the attack. “This is not a military zone. Civilians were targeted, and the only hospital serving them was destroyed,” he said. Among the dead were two young men and a woman, along with the infant.
He accused the government of committing atrocities against civilians based on their ethnicity and political affiliations, particularly the Nuer community and perceived supporters of the opposition SPLM-IO. “This is genocide,” Biel said, urging both the South Sudanese government and the international community to act immediately to prevent further killings.
Civil society leader Ter Manyang, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), echoed these concerns. “This bombardment undermines the 2018 peace agreement and deepens mistrust. The government must choose dialogue over destruction,” he stated.
As investigations continue and survivors seek urgent medical help, the attack on Old Fangak has sparked outrage and calls for accountability both within South Sudan and beyond.
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