UN Warns of Imminent Battle and Possible Chemical Weapons Use in Sudan

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan announced that he is pursuing arrest warrants for individuals accused of committing genocide and other atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region. Speaking to the UN Security Council, Khan reported an alarming increase in criminal activity, including targeted violence against civilians and widespread sexual violence against women and girls, according to verified evidence. Sudan has been embroiled in conflict since mid-April 2023, following clashes between military and paramilitary leaders in the capital, Khartoum, that have spread throughout the country. Khan emphasized the grim similarities to previous conflicts in the region, pointing out that "the pattern of crimes" and the affected communities today closely mirror those from two decades ago when severe violence erupted in Darfur. Moreover, Khan highlighted recent legal progress with the trial of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-al-Rahman, a Janjaweed leader accused of war crimes. The prosecutor's statements coincide with increased condemnation of violence from global leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who denounced a recent attack on a hospital in El Fasher, resulting in numerous fatalities.

The Sudanese army announced its recapture of the Al-Jaili oil refinery, located approximately 70 kilometers north of Khartoum, which had been under the control of the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the civil war began in April 2023. The refinery, the largest in Sudan with a capacity of 100,000 barrels per day, is a joint asset of the Sudanese government and the Chinese National Petroleum Corporation, according to officials. Recent satellite images revealed severe damage and fires at the facility, highlighting the wider devastation caused by the ongoing conflict that has reportedly claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 14 million people. A study by American universities estimates total casualties could reach as high as 130,000. Despite military gains, analysts warn that substantial negotiations will remain unlikely as long as neither side assumes full control over the capital. The situation in Darfur, where the U.S. has classified RSF actions as genocide against ethnic minorities, continues to deteriorate, with recent drone strikes resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, has announced his intention to seek arrest warrants for individuals accused of committing atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council in New York, Khan emphasized that there is verified evidence indicating that civilians are being targeted and entire communities are being destroyed amidst escalating criminality in the area. Khan’s statements align with claims from the United States and other nations, which have classified the actions of a paramilitary group and its allies in Darfur as genocide. The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, sparked by tensions between military and paramilitary leaders, and has spread to several regions including the vast Darfur area. Khan remarked on the unsettling parallels between the current situation and the genocide witnessed two decades ago, asserting that the same communities are once again enduring severe violence. He highlighted that ICC lawyers have made significant progress in their investigations, interviewing witnesses who have fled the conflict. The past atrocities in Darfur are well-documented, with the previous conflict leading to the death of up to 300,000 people and displacing around 2.7 million. Khan’s remarks included references to current ethnic targeting of populations, particularly against non-Arab groups. In addition to these developments, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned a recent attack on a hospital in El Fasher which resulted in significant casualties. The situation in Darfur remains dire, with rising tensions and the threat of widespread famine looming over the displaced populations.