U.S. Alleges Chemical Weapons Use by Sudanese Military Amid Ongoing Conflict

The United States has confirmed that Sudan's military has utilized chemical weapons in combat against the Rapid Support Forces, intensifying concerns over ongoing humanitarian crises and prompting impending sanctions against military chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for documented atrocities.

Sudan’s Civil War continues to escalate as the U.S. government announces that Sudan’s military has employed chemical weapons against the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) it is engaged in combat with since April 2023. Four senior U.S. officials have reported that these weapons were used at least twice in remote areas of Sudan, but there are fears they might soon be deployed in more densely populated regions, such as the capital, Khartoum.

The news comes as the U.S. prepares to impose sanctions on Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the chief of Sudan’s military, due to substantial evidence of atrocities committed by his forces. These actions include indiscriminate bombing campaigns targeting civilians and the strategic use of starvation as a weapon. The use of chemical weapons is a shocking development in the context of an already devastating civil war that has resulted in an alarming humanitarian crisis, with casualties reaching up to 150,000 and over 11 million people displaced.

The anticipated sanctions have been communicated to the United Nations and other aid organizations, raising concerns that Sudan's military may retaliate by further hindering humanitarian efforts in regions grappling with famine. While the type of chemical weapons used remains unclear, knowledge of the program is reportedly confined to a select few within Sudan's military. However, sources confirm that the authorization for their deployment came directly from General al-Burhan.

This announcement follows a recent U.S. determination that the Rapid Support Forces have engaged in genocidal acts, leading to sanctions against their leader, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, and targeting several UAE-based companies trading in weapons and gold for the R.S.F. The humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, with ongoing violence raising alarm among aid groups and international observers alike.