In brief
In a significant turn of events, Sudan's military is reported to have used chemical weapons against paramilitary forces, prompting the US to prepare sanctions against its military chief amid ongoing atrocities.
Sudanese Armed Forces reportedly utilized chemical weapons on at least two occasions in their fight against the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.), according to senior United States officials. This deployment is said to have taken place in remote regions of Sudan as the military continues its violent struggle for control since April 2023. Officials express concerns that the military might extend the use of such weapons to more populated areas, particularly the capital, Khartoum.This alarming development in Sudan’s civil war coincides with the U.S. preparing sanctions against General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the chief of the Sudanese military, in response to documented war crimes committed by his forces. These crimes include indiscriminate bombings on civilians and the strategic use of starvation as warfare, further exacerbating what is already regarded as a severe humanitarian crisis.With estimates of up to 150,000 lives lost and over 11 million people displaced, the conflict continues to deteriorate into an unprecedented famine situation. The United Nations and various aid organizations were alerted on the impending sanctions against al-Burhan, who is seen as a pivotal figure in both Sudan’s military command and as a representative at the United Nations.There are growing concerns among aid organizations that these sanctions could provoke the military into retaliatory actions that restrict humanitarian assistance in regions already on the brink of famine or suffering from it. Further details regarding the specific types of chemical weapons involved remain under wraps, as only a small circle within the military is informed about their chemical program. However, it is acknowledged that the authorization for their use came directly from General al-Burhan.Just recently, the U.S. also classified the R.S.F. as having committed genocide and sanctioned its leader, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, alongside seven Emirati companies engaged in trading arms and gold for the R.S.F. As the situation continues to escalate, the potential for increased violence and humanitarian aid restrictions looms large, heightening the stakes for both civilians caught in the conflict and intervention efforts from the international community.
