Mohamed Ahmed and Mohamed Jamal, detained for days, were part of a volunteer effort to reopen hospitals in conflict-stricken Khartoum.

In a troubling escalation of violence in Sudan, two medical volunteers, Mohamed Ahmed and Mohamed Jamal, were detained after being seized from the ambulance they were driving in northern Khartoum. The pair had been working to reopen the Haj al-Safi hospital in Bahri, a facility that had been closed due to heavy fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Their families were left in the dark until Sunday, when army intelligence issued a statement accusing the volunteers of driving a “stolen” ambulance. However, activists quickly denied the military’s claims, stating that the two men were part of a broader volunteer effort to restore essential healthcare services in areas most affected by the ongoing conflict.

Despite their release on Monday, the men were reportedly humiliated during their detention, with their heads shaved as a sign of punishment. Dr. Attia Abdallah, spokesperson for the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, condemned the treatment, emphasizing that the men were simply fulfilling their humanitarian duties.

This incident highlights the severe strain on Sudan’s healthcare system, with around 80% of Khartoum’s hospitals either closed or unable to function. As the country continues to experience heavy airstrikes and clashes, local doctors, in coordination with international organizations like the WHO and ICRC, have been working tirelessly to provide care. However, many medical professionals have received death threats from the military, and some, including Dr. Hiba Omer, have been forced into hiding.

The crisis in Sudan has led to a near-total collapse of the healthcare system, exacerbated by the absence of a functioning government and increasing violence. Civil resistance committees, which played a vital role in the 2019 uprising, have been crucial in delivering medical aid to those trapped by the conflict.