Sudan's Military Allegedly Deploys Chemical Weapons Amid Ongoing Conflict

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According to a report by The New York Times, the Sudanese military, under the leadership of de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has allegedly authorized the use of chemical weapons in its ongoing conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This development raises serious concerns in Washington, with fears that such weapons may soon be employed against civilians, particularly in the capital, Khartoum, where intense fighting is currently taking place.

The report cites four U.S. officials who suggest that the military's actions represent a new low in a conflict that has already sparked the world's largest refugee crisis, with over 12 million people displaced since fighting began in April 2023. Officials previously imposed sanctions against al-Burhan, accusing him of indiscriminately bombing civilians, obstructing humanitarian aid, and using hunger as a weapon of war.

While the specific types of chemical weapons deployed remain unclear, the New York Times indicated that only a small circle of Sudanese military personnel was privy to the operations. Al-Burhan has categorically rejected the allegations, asserting that the military has never used chemical or incendiary weapons, and instead, he claims such weapons have been utilized by the RSF.

The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, as aid organizations express fear that the military's potential retaliation could further hinder food deliveries to the civilian population. The U.S. government has also imposed sanctions on the RSF, accusing them of committing genocide amid the civil war.

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