Sudan’s military has used chemical weapons twice, US officials say

Sudan’s military has used chemical weapons at least twice against paramilitary groups fighting for control of the country, four senior US officials said on Thursday.

The weapons were recently deployed in a remote part of Sudan, targeting members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that have been fighting the army since April 2023. But US officials are concerned that they may the weapons will soon be used in the densely populated areas of Khartoum.

The declaration on the use of chemical weapons is expected to herald the punishment of Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, for his troops’ documented atrocities, including the indiscriminate bombing of civilians and the use of hunger as a weapon. the war.

The use of chemical weapons crosses another frontier in the conflict between the Sudanese military and its former ally, the RSF. By many measures, the war has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 150,000 people dead, more than 11 million displaced and the world’s worst famine in decades .

The United Nations, allied countries and aid groups were notified on Wednesday night of the impending sanctions against General al-Burhan. The decision by the United States is seen as a major move against the popular figure considered by some to be the head of state of Sudan who represents his country at the United Nations.

Aid groups fear that the sanctions decision could retaliate against Sudan’s military by further restricting aid work in areas that are starving or fleeing to them.

It is not clear what type of chemical weapon was used. Knowledge of the chemical weapons program was limited to a small group within Sudan’s military, two of the U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. the sensitive security. But it is clear that General al-Burhan authorized their use, they said.

The sanctions came a week after the United States ruled that the Rapid Support Forces had committed genocide in the war, and imposed sanctions on its leader, Lt. General Mohamed Hamdan, for his role in brutalizing his people. The United States also sanctioned seven companies based in the United Arab Emirates that sold weapons or gold to the RSF.