Four killed, 25 wounded in South Sudan army bombing on Fangak

BOR – South Sudan’s army targeted a hospital run by medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, on Saturday morning, causing extensive damage and resulting in four deaths, including a nine-month-old child, and 25 injuries, the local county commissioner said.

MSF confirmed the bombing but did not attribute responsibility. Mamman Mustapha, the head of MSF’s South Sudan mission, condemned the attack in a statement.

“We strongly condemn the destruction of our hospital in Old Fangak. 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,” Mustapha said.

“We call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian infrastructure, and to respect medical services at all times,” he added.

Biel Boutros Biel, the Commissioner of Fangak County, said in a recorded statement that the bombing occurred around 4 a.m. and involved multiple military aircraft, including two gunships, a drone, and another plane.

“This morning, Saturday, the 3rd of May 2025, two gunships, one drone, and another plane, they came to Fangak County, especially Old Fangak town, a civilian center,” Biel said. “They bombed it… and they displaced over 30,000 people in the town.”

Biel stated that the aircraft belonged to the South Sudanese government and referenced a prior SSPDF statement indicating intentions to target Fangak County.

“And these planes belong to the government of South Sudan… we saw a statement yesterday from the spokesperson of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces that they will target Fangak County and other areas… So indeed, they have implemented it today,” Biel said.

He emphasized that Fangak is a civilian area with no military connections.

“They bombed Fangak County, a civilian center that has no connection with any military activities, but they bombed it,” Biel said.

Biel reported initial casualties of four deaths, including a nine-month-old child, and 25 injuries, with some individuals in critical condition.

“We have sustained casualties… four people died, including a child, a boy of nine months old… a lady died and two young men,” Biel said. “So far, we got 25 civilians. Some are in critical conditions.”

He also detailed the destruction of the MSF hospital, including its pharmacy, the only source of medicine for the local population.

“They bombed the hospital… They burned the pharmacy completely… They burned the only place where civilians get their medicines. So the pharmacy of MSF has been burned to ashes,” Biel said.

Biel alleged that the attack was ethnically and politically motivated, targeting the Nuer people and those perceived to be affiliated with the SPLM-IO opposition group. He cited remarks by a government minister profiling certain communities as hostile.

“These people of Fangak… are killed because of their own identity. Because they are Nuer… and they are killed because of what the government perceives as allegiance or affiliation to the political party SPLM and its military wing SPLM-IO,” Biel said.

He appealed to the South Sudanese government to cease targeting civilians and urged the international community to intervene, describing the situation as potential genocide.

“This is genocide and the genocide convention… the people of Pangak… are being killed because of their tribal background as Nuer people… and because of the political affiliation to SPLM-IO,” Biel said. “It is high time for the international community to act.”