Medical humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says one of its hospitals in South Sudan was struck by a government air attack, as fighting intensifies between state forces and opposition groups in rebel-held areas.
The overnight strike targeted MSF’s hospital in Lankien, in Jonglei state, on Tuesday. It was the 10th attack on an MSF-supported medical facility in South Sudan within the past year, according to the organisation.
The incident comes amid escalating hostilities and follows government-imposed restrictions on humanitarian access in parts of Jonglei in December, which MSF says have severely limited its ability to deliver life-saving medical services in opposition-controlled areas.
MSF said the hospital had been evacuated just hours before the air strike after staff received intelligence warning of a possible attack on the city.
“One MSF staff member sustained minor injuries,” the organisation said, adding that the main medical warehouse was destroyed, along with most of the hospital’s critical supplies.
In a separate incident the same day, MSF reported that its health facility in Pieri, also in Jonglei state, was looted by unidentified attackers, leaving it unusable for the surrounding community.
“Our colleagues from both Lankien and Pieri were forced to flee alongside residents,” MSF said. “Their current whereabouts remain unknown as we continue efforts to re-establish communication.”
Only force capable of air attacks
Gul Badshah, MSF’s operations manager in South Sudan, said the organisation had repeatedly shared the GPS coordinates of all its medical facilities with the government and all parties to the conflict.
“We received confirmation that these locations were known,” Badshah said. “The South Sudanese armed forces are the only party with the capacity to conduct aerial attacks in the country.”
Government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny and army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang did not respond to requests for comment.
Growing humanitarian crisis
Jonglei state is among the regions worst affected by food insecurity and healthcare shortages, analysts say.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 280,000 people have been displaced by fighting and air bombardments in the area since December.
MSF warned that it was the sole healthcare provider for around 250,000 people in Lankien and Pieri, cautioning that continued attacks would leave entire communities without access to medical care.
“These assaults force us to take difficult decisions to protect our staff and patients,” Badshah said. “While the needs in South Sudan are enormous, it is unacceptable for healthcare facilities to be targeted.”
MSF has operated in the territory that is now South Sudan for more than 40 years, including before the country gained independence in 2011.
The organisation said repeated attacks have already led to the closure of two hospitals in the Greater Upper Nile region and the suspension of general healthcare services in Jonglei, Upper Nile and Central Equatoria states.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, has endured years of conflict, political instability, poverty and widespread corruption since its independence, leaving millions dependent on humanitarian aid.