Sudan drone strikes drive wounded civilians into Chad's Tine hospital

Since May 2023, the Sudanese civil war between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has seen a surge in drone attacks targeting civilian areas near the Chad‑Sudan border. More than 1,000 civilians have been killed by drones in the first five months of the year, and attacks on health facilities total 755, two‑thirds attributed to the RSF.

Wounded Sudanese civilians are crossing the border to receive treatment at the MSF‑supported Tine hospital in Chad. Of the roughly 300 patients admitted since the hospital opened in February, over 90 % are drone‑strike victims, suffering burns, fractures, limb loss and severe injuries. The facility, staffed by MSF personnel, struggles to treat the most serious cases because of limited resources.

Doctors Without Borders reports that the health system on the Sudanese side has collapsed, with staff fleeing and facilities destroyed, making Tine the first accessible centre for many border‑area residents. Family members recount personal tragedies, including a 16‑year‑old killed on the spot and others bearing extensive burns and injuries.