At least 22 people, including four medical workers, were killed when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled Al-Kuweik Hospital in South Kordofan state, Sudan Doctors Network said on Thursday.

The network said eight other people were injured in the attack.

Those killed included the medical director of Al-Kuweik Military Hospital and three members of the hospital’s medical staff. It added that the shelling caused heavy loss of life and serious damage to the health facility.

Al- Kuweik Hospital is the third health facility to be targeted in South Kordofan in less than 72 hours. Around 50 per cent of medical facilities in the state are now out of service because of shelling and siege, according to the network.

Sudan Doctors Network condemned the targeting of health facilities and medical staff, describing it as a war crime and a clear violation of international humanitarian law and international agreements that protect civilians and medical facilities during armed conflicts.