Dangerous Gas in Khartoum and Chemical Weapons in Darfur
The war in Sudan has unfortunately entered a new and more dangerous phase, with reports of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) using chemical weapons in the ongoing conflict between it and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These reports reveal the true extent of the continuous deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation, as serious violations against innocent civilians are recorded in different parts of the country, especially in Al-Jazeera and Darfur states.
The New York Times (NYT) shared in a report published on Thursday, January 16th, citing American sources, that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has used “Chemical Weapons,” including Chlorine gas, on two separate occasions against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in remote areas of the country.
The report confirmed that the aforementioned use may include more densely populated areas such as Khartoum, raising concerns of catastrophic humanitarian repercussions in the Sudanese capital.
In the same context, field testimonies from cities in East Darfur state, including (Ed-Daein) and (Al-Koma), monitored incidents of mass suffocation following airstrikes, in which the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) is believed to have used chemical weapons. According to volunteer health workers, victims of the attacks suffered from severe breathing difficulties, which resulted in the death of a significant number of them.
With a marked increase in indications regarding the use of chemical weapons and the rising toll of civilian casualties, the international community is calling for an urgent investigation to determine the truth of these violations and bring those involved to justice.
If the use of chemical weapons against civilians is confirmed, this will add a new crime to the growing tally of violations that require effective international intervention to ensure the protection of civilians.
The international community is now called upon to intensify pressure on the warring parties in Sudan to cease hostilities and return to the negotiating table, in a manner that guarantees the safety of civilians in addition to achieving justice for the victims.
