US doctor: Sudan dropped 11 bombs near hospital

NAIROBI, Kenya — Sudanese war planes deliberately targeted a Catholic hospital in bombing runs made over two days in a region of southern Sudan where government troops and rebel forces are fighting, an American doctor and Catholic bishop said Monday.

Dr. Tom Catena, a surgeon who works at the hospital in a region of southern Sudan known as the Nuba Mountains, said a Sukhoi Su-24 fighter jet dropped five bombs on the hospital on Thursday and that an Antonov dropped six bombs on Friday, causing what he said were “moderate casualties.”

“This constitutes an obvious war crime as we are a civilian hospital taking care of all comers,” Catena said by email. “There is no military installation anywhere near us and we are quite far from the front lines. There is no doubt they were targeting the hospital and they know very well who we are.”

A Sudan military spokesman did not respond to calls and text messages about the allegations. Mustafa Osman Ismail, the secretary for political affairs, told the independent newspaper Al Migahar in a story published Monday that as long as no agreement has been reached with rebels, military operations will continue.

Bishop Macram Max Gassis called the bombings an outrage and asked Sudan President Omar al-Bashir to ensure the hospital is protected from future attacks. He said the Mother of Mercy Hospital is the only functioning hospital in Sudan’s South Kordofan state.

The Nuba Mountains are populated by a group of people opposed to the government in Khartoum who are more ideologically aligned with South Sudan. When South Sudan broke away from Sudan in 2011, the Nuba Mountains were placed north of the new political border, though their more natural place may have been in the south. Fighting between troops in Nuba and the government of Sudan has been ongoing for years.

Catena told the news website Nuba Reports that Sudan’s government wants the people of the region to leave, so the military is trying to destroy infrastructure and “demoralize everybody.” Nuba Reports, a sight dedicated to telling the stories of the people in Nuba, produced a video news report showing what it said was the jet and the Antonov flying overhead and dropping their payloads.

The video also showed dozens of frightened residents ducking and running for cover.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.