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Report on Chemical Weapons in Sudan: War Crimes and US Sanctions
Detailed Report on the Use of Chemical Weapons by the Sudanese Armed Forces: War Crimes, Threats to Civilians, and the Impact of US SanctionsWritten by: The Sahel Conflict Observation Center – 2025 42 rue Albert Einstein, 78990 Paris, France Email: kalyanimahamat123@gmail.com WhatsApp: +212626494120
The Use of Chemical Weapons by the Sudanese Armed Forces: A War Crime and Its International Consequences
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese Armed Forces, as well as the political, economic, and humanitarian repercussions of the US sanctions imposed on Sudan.
Introduction
The use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese armed forces constitutes a serious violation of international law and a war crime that directly endangers the lives of civilians. This situation has led to a response from the international community, notably through economic and political sanctions imposed by the United States. This report aims to analyze these events, their humanitarian implications, and the geopolitical consequences of international sanctions.
Outline of the Report
1- Context of the Use of Chemical Weapons in Sudan: Presentation of the general framework of the conflict and the reasons that led to the use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese armed forces.
2- Analysis of the Use of Chemical Weapons: Evidence and Testimonies: Collection of data, reliable sources, and testimonies from victims or observers documenting these attacks.
3- Humanitarian Consequences: Impacts on Civilians and the Environment: Study of the short- and long-term effects on affected populations as well as the environmental damage caused.
4- Consequences of American sanctions: economic and political impacts Assessment of the repercussions of international sanctions on the Sudanese economy, its political institutions and its social stability.
5- Conclusion and Recommendations for International Action: Summary of analyses and proposed measures for effective international intervention to protect populations and end violations of humanitarian law.
The Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons by the Sudanese Army: A Humanitarian Crisis and Its Geopolitical Consequences
The Importance of the Issue
The use of chemical and biological weapons by the Sudanese army constitutes one of the most serious humanitarian crises in recent years. Beyond its catastrophic impact on civilians and the environment, this practice represents a flagrant violation of international laws and conventions. The gravity of the issue extends beyond the local context, paving the way for international interventions likely to redefine Sudan's political and strategic landscape. These weapons of mass destruction, banned worldwide, have disastrous consequences for human health and the ecosystem.
Significance of the Report
This report highlights the multiple dimensions of this crisis, which has intensified since the beginning of 2024 amid escalating clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. Local and international human rights organizations, as well as official statements from the United States and the European Union, confirm the Sudanese army's involvement in the use of toxic chemicals against civilians. These attacks have had disastrous health and environmental consequences.
Humanitarian and Environmental Consequences
The use of chemical and biological weapons highlights a complete lack of ethical responsibility and a violation of fundamental human rights principles. The effects of these weapons extend over several decades, causing:
Genetic malformations in future generations;
Long-term soil and water pollution;
A widespread deterioration in the health of civilians exposed to toxins.
Current Context and International Position
The year 2025 marks a major turning point in the attitude of the United States and the international community toward Sudan. The economic and political sanctions imposed by Washington in May 2025 reflect an escalation of the crisis and herald new phases of instability for the country.
Importance of Documentation
Accurate and rigorous documentation of the facts is essential to prove the responsibility of the Sudanese army and its political and military leaders. Collecting and analyzing evidence helps strengthen efforts to qualify these acts as war crimes and crimes against humanity before international bodies.
Political Consequences and Deterrence Strategy
The use of chemical and biological weapons represents a true political and military suicide for the authorities in Port Sudan. This practice leads to:
Growing diplomatic isolation;
A deterioration of Sudan's image in the international community;
A paralysis of political efforts aimed at establishing peace.
These violations could justify an intensification of international intervention, either directly or through more severe economic and political sanctions. The deterioration of Sudan's socioeconomic conditions is exacerbating internal tensions and jeopardizing any attempts at stabilization.
Regional Impact and Security in Africa
Sudan's stability is crucial to the security balance in Africa and the Arab world. The use of prohibited weapons risks exacerbating instability and fostering the rise of armed groups in the region. A spread of conflict could further weaken the Horn of Africa and East Africa.
US Sanctions: Objectives and Scope
The sanctions imposed by the United States include:
Restrictions on US exports;
Banning government lines of credit;
Freezing the assets of Sudanese leaders.
These measures are not merely symbolic: they aim to compel the Sudanese authorities to cease the use of chemical weapons and enter into negotiations to end the conflict.
Definition of Chemical and Biological Weapons
Chemical weapons are toxic substances intentionally used to cause death or serious physical or psychological harm. Among the most formidable, we find:
Sarin gas: a powerful nerve agent,
Mustard gas: causes serious damage to the skin and respiratory tract,
Chlorine gas: used to asphyxiate victims,
Phosgene: responsible for fatal lung damage.
Chemical and Biological Weapons: Threat and Consequences in Sudan
Sarin Gas
Sarin gas is one of the most dangerous chemical weapons. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid substance that directly affects the nervous system. Inhalation causes violent muscle convulsions, tremors, respiratory arrest, and death within minutes or hours.
Mustard Gas
Mustard gas is a toxic substance that causes severe chemical burns, skin ulcers, and long-term respiratory damage. Prolonged exposure can also lead to skin and respiratory cancers.
Chlorine Gas
Chlorine gas is a yellowish-green chemical substance characterized by a suffocating and penetrating odor. First used as a chemical weapon during World War I, it causes rapid lung damage, bronchial spasms, and acute inflammation of the eyes and skin. In high concentrations, it can cause death by asphyxiation.
Phosgene Gas
Phosgene is a colorless gas with an odor reminiscent of moldy hay or fresh grass. Extremely toxic, it causes severe lung damage when inhaled. Symptoms often appear several hours after exposure, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs, asphyxiation, and death without immediate medical attention.
Biological Weapons
Biological weapons use microscopic living organisms or biological toxins to cause serious illness and mass death. They include bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that can spread rapidly. These weapons are prohibited by the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention, signed by most countries worldwide, due to their dangerous nature and the impossibility of controlling their spread.
Examples of Biological Weapons
Cholera bacteria are an example of a deadly biological weapon. They cause acute intestinal infections, leading to severe diarrhea and rapid dehydration that can be fatal without immediate treatment. Their intentional spread through the air or contamination of water sources constitutes a criminal act intended to harm civilian populations.
Effects of Chemical and Biological Weapons
These weapons have devastating health and environmental consequences, including:
Immediate death and serious injuries (skin ulcers, acute lung damage);
Infertility, miscarriages, and birth defects in exposed populations;
Medical difficulties in treating victims due to a lack of expertise and adequate resources.
Environmental Consequences
Long-term effects include:
Permanent contamination of soil, water sources, and air;
Destruction of flora and fauna, rendering some areas uninhabitable for years;
Massive population displacement and collapse of local ecosystems.
History of Sudan and the Use of Chemical Weapons
Sudan's association with chemical weapons dates back to the 1960s, during the reign of General Ibrahim Abboud, when popular calls arose for their use in the war in the South. Although no concrete evidence was documented at the time, this event marked the beginning of international concern.
Development of Chemical Weapons Capabilities in Sudan
According to various sources, Sudan began developing its chemical warfare capabilities in the late 1990s, after joining the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in 1999. Despite the ban on developing, possessing, or using these weapons, subsequent reports revealed the creation of a special chemical warfare branch within the Sudanese armed forces, raising international concern.
Use of Chemical Weapons in Darfur: War Crimes and International Sanctions
Chemical Attacks in Darfur (2006-2016)
In 2006, official reports from international human rights organizations documented chemical weapons attacks in western Jebel Marra, Darfur. These attacks caused serious injuries among civilians, including cases of acute asphyxiation, miscarriages among pregnant women and birth defects among newborns, as well as widespread environmental damage.
UN Reports and International Reactions
In 2016, Amnesty International confirmed that the Sudanese army had used chemical weapons against civilians in Jebel Marra, killing 200 to 300 people, mostly children, and injuring hundreds more with severe skin burns and respiratory problems. The United Nations called for independent investigations, but the Sudanese government refused, reinforcing suspicions.
Symptoms and Consequences
Victims experienced symptoms such as:
Acute red eyes;
Extensive skin ulcers;
Severe lung infections.
The lack of adequate medical care has led to a rising mortality rate, particularly among children and the elderly.
Transfer and Development of Chemical Weapons
Some sources suggest that Iraq, under Saddam Hussein's regime, transferred part of its chemical arsenal to Sudan in the 1990s, raising concerns about the country's possession of such weapons.
Recent Use of Chemical Weapons (2024-2025)
Between 2024 and 2025, the Sudanese army was again accused of using chemical and biological weapons against civilians in several regions. Reports confirmed the use of sarin and mustard gas, as well as biological materials such as cholera bacteria and compounds that affect reproductive health, leading to catastrophic health consequences.
Details of Recent Attacks (2024-2025)
The period from early 2024 to mid-2025 saw an unprecedented escalation in the use of prohibited chemical and biological weapons. Attacks directly targeted civilians in several regions of Sudan, including:
Darfur;
Khartoum and surrounding areas;
Gezira State.
Attack Methods
Intelligence reports and local accounts indicate that the Sudanese army used:
Missiles and artillery shells filled with toxic gas;
Drones and aircraft dropping biological explosive barrels;
Spraying of liquid chemicals by fighter jets.
The attacks were particularly deadly in North Darfur, where hundreds of people suffered severe burns and acute asphyxiation. In Khartoum, several residential neighborhoods were affected, resulting in permanent water and soil contamination.
Evidence and Testimonies
Videos showed Sudanese soldiers wearing protective gas masks during the launches, while civilians were left unprotected. Laboratory analyses revealed the presence of liquid chlorine and phosgene in water and soil samples collected at the attack sites.
VIDEO 1: Army bombs Nuba Mountains with chemical weapons
VIDEO 2: Evidence that the Sudanese army uses chemical weapons
VIDEO 3: Chemical weapons related material discovered in Al Khawi
External Aid and Stockpiling of Chemical Weapons
International intelligence sources indicated that these operations benefited from external assistance, with the transfer of large quantities of chemical materials from countries such as Syria and Iran. Some of these materials were reportedly stored in secret sites belonging to the Al-Baraa Battalion, responsible for chemical bombings.
International Sanctions
Following these revelations, the United States imposed extensive sanctions on Sudan, based on reliable intelligence confirmations. These reports suggest the direct involvement of General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan in issuing orders for the use of chemical and biological weapons.
Humanitarian Consequences
The chemical and biological attacks perpetrated in Sudan constitute one of the worst humanitarian crimes in the country's modern history. They demonstrate a state of military and moral desperation among the leadership of the Sudanese army. The international community must take urgent action to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable and provide immediate support to the victims.
Victim Testimonies
The attacks caused direct and serious harm to civilians, including:
Mass miscarriages among pregnant women;
Mass deaths among newborns;
Severe chemical burns and respiratory injuries.
Witnesses describe these events as a "slow extermination catastrophe." Local doctors confirm that health centers are overwhelmed with cases of stillborn or deformed babies, a situation unprecedented in the region's history.
Skin Injuries and Suffering
Residents of Jebel Marra, North Darfur, and Khartoum described severe and brutal injuries. A witness from Khartoum Bahri said that chemicals fired by Sudanese army shells caused deep burns and skin ulcers, accompanied by unbearable pain.
Poisoning Cases and Epidemics
Chemical attacks led to a massive spread of poisoning cases in several regions of Sudan. Witnesses described a suffocating odor that spread after the bombings, causing mass asphyxiation.
Furthermore, cholera and typhoid epidemics have been documented, resulting from the Sudanese army's use of biological barrel bombs containing germs of these diseases. Environmental Consequences and Water Crisis
Soil and water tests revealed high levels of toxic chemicals, leading to serious and long-lasting contamination.
Farmers in Gezira State reported that their land became unfit for cultivation after the attacks.
Residents of Al-Kuma, North Darfur, reported that water wells were contaminated, causing the immediate death of animals that drank from them.
Call for Help
A local doctor described the situation as "an indescribable hell," calling for urgent intervention from international medical organizations. The victims and their families are calling on the international community to act quickly to end this "silent genocide."
Local and International Reactions
Sudanese Government Reactions
The Sudanese government and army have categorically denied accusations of the use of chemical and biological weapons between 2024 and 2025. They have called these reports an "international campaign aimed at undermining the stability of the country."
However, discrepancies emerged in official statements:
The government denied any chemical attack,
but acknowledged that some military operations had resulted in unintentional civilian casualties.
Popular Reactions
Many Sudanese citizens in the affected regions have expressed doubts about the official accounts and have insisted that the chemical and biological attacks are real. They demand that the government take responsibility and provide assistance to the victims.
International Reactions and Sanctions
The allegations against the Sudanese army have sparked international and regional reactions.
The United States announced economic and political sanctions against the Sudanese government in May 2025.
The UN described these accusations as "very serious," emphasizing that the use of chemical weapons constitutes a crime against humanity.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) convened an emergency meeting to discuss these allegations.
Purpose of the Sanctions
US officials have clarified that these measures aim to:
Sanction Sudan for its failure to comply with international conventions;
Send a clear message to other countries regarding the ban on chemical weapons;
Prompt an international investigation to determine accountability;
Call for an International Investigation.
The European Union, the United Kingdom, and France have called for a swift and transparent international investigation, offering their logistical and technical support.
Recommendations for International Action:
1- Hold those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable to prevent impunity.
2- Expand economic and political sanctions against the Sudanese government and military leaders involved to ensure an immediate cessation of the use of banned weapons and encourage them to accept lasting political solutions.
3- Provide urgent and effective humanitarian assistance to victims and areas affected by chemical and biological attacks through reliable international humanitarian organizations.
4- Encourage regional powers (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) to play an active role in mediation and promote internal political dialogue in Sudan.
5- Pressure Sudan to allow unrestricted access for international inspectors to all sites targeted by chemical and biological weapons.
6- Impose a total embargo on arms exports to the Sudanese army and place its leaders under international surveillance.
7- Strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to document crimes and violations professionally and effectively.
8- Establish strict international mechanisms to monitor Sudan's compliance with international conventions prohibiting chemical and biological weapons.
Conclusion
The use of chemical and biological weapons in Sudan between 2024 and 2025 represents one of the worst human rights violations in the country's modern history. These acts of war, directly targeting civilians, have caused immeasurable suffering and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The consequences, ranging from human losses to environmental disasters, underscore the urgent need for a strong and coordinated international response.
Faced with these crimes, the international community must unite to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Concrete measures, such as the imposition of tougher sanctions, the establishment of an independent investigation, and the provision of immediate humanitarian assistance, are essential to protect affected populations and prevent any recurrence.
Justice for the victims cannot be compromised. It is imperative to establish strict international mechanisms to monitor Sudan's compliance with the conventions banning chemical and biological weapons. At the same time, support for local and international organizations working on the ground remains crucial to document these crimes and promote peace.
This crisis is a reminder that the fight against the use of prohibited weapons must never waver. International mobilization is essential not only to punish those responsible, but also to preserve the future of Sudanese generations and strengthen respect for international law. Only resolute action can ensure that such crimes do not happen again.
External Aid and Stockpiling of Chemical Weapons
International intelligence sources indicated that these operations benefited from external assistance, with the transfer of large quantities of chemical materials from countries such as Syria and Iran. Some of these materials were reportedly stored in secret sites belonging to the Al-Baraa Battalion, responsible for chemical bombings.
International Sanctions
Following these revelations, the United States imposed extensive sanctions on Sudan, based on reliable intelligence confirmations. These reports suggest the direct involvement of General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan in issuing orders for the use of chemical and biological weapons.
Humanitarian Consequences
The chemical and biological attacks perpetrated in Sudan constitute one of the worst humanitarian crimes in the country's modern history. They demonstrate a state of military and moral desperation among the leadership of the Sudanese army. The international community must take urgent action to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable and provide immediate support to the victims.
Victim Testimonies
The attacks caused direct and serious harm to civilians, including:
Mass miscarriages among pregnant women;
Mass deaths among newborns;
Severe chemical burns and respiratory injuries.
Witnesses describe these events as a "slow extermination catastrophe." Local doctors confirm that health centers are overwhelmed with cases of stillborn or deformed babies, a situation unprecedented in the region's history.
Skin Injuries and Suffering
Residents of Jebel Marra, North Darfur, and Khartoum described severe and brutal injuries. A witness from Khartoum Bahri said that chemicals fired by Sudanese army shells caused deep burns and skin ulcers, accompanied by unbearable pain.
Poisoning Cases and Epidemics
Chemical attacks led to a massive spread of poisoning cases in several regions of Sudan. Witnesses described a suffocating odor that spread after the bombings, causing mass asphyxiation.
Furthermore, cholera and typhoid epidemics have been documented, resulting from the Sudanese army's use of biological barrel bombs containing germs of these diseases. Environmental Consequences and Water Crisis
Soil and water tests revealed high levels of toxic chemicals, leading to serious and long-lasting contamination.
Farmers in Gezira State reported that their land became unfit for cultivation after the attacks.
Residents of Al-Kuma, North Darfur, reported that water wells were contaminated, causing the immediate death of animals that drank from them.
Call for Help
A local doctor described the situation as "an indescribable hell," calling for urgent intervention from international medical organizations. The victims and their families are calling on the international community to act quickly to end this "silent genocide."
Local and International Reactions
Sudanese Government Reactions
The Sudanese government and army have categorically denied accusations of the use of chemical and biological weapons between 2024 and 2025. They have called these reports an "international campaign aimed at undermining the stability of the country."
However, discrepancies emerged in official statements:
The government denied any chemical attack,
but acknowledged that some military operations had resulted in unintentional civilian casualties.
Popular Reactions
Many Sudanese citizens in the affected regions have expressed doubts about the official accounts and have insisted that the chemical and biological attacks are real. They demand that the government take responsibility and provide assistance to the victims.
International Reactions and Sanctions
The allegations against the Sudanese army have sparked international and regional reactions.
The United States announced economic and political sanctions against the Sudanese government in May 2025.
The UN described these accusations as "very serious," emphasizing that the use of chemical weapons constitutes a crime against humanity.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) convened an emergency meeting to discuss these allegations.
Purpose of the Sanctions
US officials have clarified that these measures aim to:
Sanction Sudan for its failure to comply with international conventions;
Send a clear message to other countries regarding the ban on chemical weapons;
Prompt an international investigation to determine accountability;
Call for an International Investigation.
The European Union, the United Kingdom, and France have called for a swift and transparent international investigation, offering their logistical and technical support.
Recommendations for International Action:
1- Hold those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable to prevent impunity.
2- Expand economic and political sanctions against the Sudanese government and military leaders involved to ensure an immediate cessation of the use of banned weapons and encourage them to accept lasting political solutions.
3- Provide urgent and effective humanitarian assistance to victims and areas affected by chemical and biological attacks through reliable international humanitarian organizations.
4- Encourage regional powers (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) to play an active role in mediation and promote internal political dialogue in Sudan.
5- Pressure Sudan to allow unrestricted access for international inspectors to all sites targeted by chemical and biological weapons.
6- Impose a total embargo on arms exports to the Sudanese army and place its leaders under international surveillance.
7- Strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to document crimes and violations professionally and effectively.
8- Establish strict international mechanisms to monitor Sudan's compliance with international conventions prohibiting chemical and biological weapons.
Conclusion
The use of chemical and biological weapons in Sudan between 2024 and 2025 represents one of the worst human rights violations in the country's modern history. These acts of war, directly targeting civilians, have caused immeasurable suffering and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The consequences, ranging from human losses to environmental disasters, underscore the urgent need for a strong and coordinated international response.
Faced with these crimes, the international community must unite to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Concrete measures, such as the imposition of tougher sanctions, the establishment of an independent investigation, and the provision of immediate humanitarian assistance, are essential to protect affected populations and prevent any recurrence.
Justice for the victims cannot be compromised. It is imperative to establish strict international mechanisms to monitor Sudan's compliance with the conventions banning chemical and biological weapons. At the same time, support for local and international organizations working on the ground remains crucial to document these crimes and promote peace.
This crisis is a reminder that the fight against the use of prohibited weapons must never waver. International mobilization is essential not only to punish those responsible, but also to preserve the future of Sudanese generations and strengthen respect for international law. Only resolute action can ensure that such crimes do not happen again.
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