By BlogHear News Team | May 4, 2025
JONGLEI STATE, South Sudan — At least seven people were killed and 20 others injured after a series of devastating airstrikes targeted a hospital and local market in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, on May 3, 2025. The attack, which has been condemned by medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), is stoking fears of a return to full-scale civil war in South Sudan.
The assault began early in the morning when helicopter gunships dropped bombs on the pharmacy of the MSF-run hospital, destroying it completely. The helicopters continued to fire on the town for approximately 30 minutes before a drone strike targeted a nearby market, causing further casualties and panic among the civilian population.
MSF, which runs the hospital — the only medical facility in Fangak County, home to over 110,000 people — called the attack a “clear violation of international humanitarian law.” The charity stated that the hospital was clearly marked with the MSF logo and its coordinates had been shared with all parties in the conflict, ensuring the facility’s protection under international law.
A Desperate Situation
The destruction of the hospital has left the local population without access to vital medical care, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. All medical supplies were lost in the bombing, and MSF has been forced to halt its operations in the area until further notice.
The bombing came amid rising tensions between the South Sudanese government and opposition factions, particularly following the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar in March 2025. Machar and his supporters have been accused of inciting rebellion, and his arrest has sparked renewed fears of conflict between South Sudan’s two largest ethnic groups.
Escalating Violence
In recent weeks, South Sudan has seen a dramatic increase in violence. In March, clashes between government forces and the White Army militia, which was allied to Machar during the civil war, led to the overrun of a military base in Upper Nile State. Additionally, a UN helicopter carrying troops was fired upon, resulting in several deaths, including a high-ranking army general.
The country’s fragile peace, established in 2018, is hanging by a thread, with many armed groups still loyal to different politicians and no unified national army in place. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but just two years later, a civil war erupted between President Salva Kiir’s government and Machar’s forces, leading to over 400,000 deaths and the displacement of more than 2.5 million people.
Despite a peace deal in 2018 and the formation of a unity government between Kiir and Machar, political instability and ethnic tensions continue to threaten the fragile peace.
International Outcry
Humanitarian organizations, including MSF, have expressed outrage over the attacks on civilians and healthcare facilities, calling for an immediate end to airstrikes targeting non-military sites. MSF’s spokesperson, Mamman Mustapha, called on all warring parties to respect international law and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and civilians.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has also warned that the country is “teetering on the brink” of a return to full-scale civil war. Nicholas Haysom, the head of the mission, emphasized the urgency of addressing the growing violence and the risks it poses to the nation’s stability.
The South Sudanese government has yet to respond to the accusations. However, escalating military actions and the involvement of ethnic militias indicate that the conflict is far from over.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are still investigating the attacks in Old Fangak, and MSF continues to assess the situation. The medical charity has called for immediate international support to address the health needs of the affected population and to prevent further escalation of violence in the region.
The situation remains volatile, and local residents continue to face significant risks. South Sudan’s future hangs in the balance as fears grow that the country could be sliding back into a prolonged and devastating civil war.
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