Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised serious concerns about the potential use of chlorine gas by Sudan's military in the ongoing armed conflict, urging the international community to take action. According to a detailed investigation by France 24, evidence suggests that chlorine gas may have been deployed at a military base and nearby oil refinery in northern Khartoum, both under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

The investigation presented photographs of storage containers that purportedly held chlorine gas, alongside a video depicting a green-yellow cloud, a distinctive sign of chlorine exposure. These findings have reignited fears of war crimes, as the use of chlorine gas as a weapon is strictly prohibited under international law.

HRW emphasized the gravity of these allegations, pointing out that the deployment of chemical weapons constitutes a war crime under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The rights group has called for a transparent and thorough investigation into these claims, stressing the need for accountability and adherence to international norms.

The US government had previously sanctioned General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the SAF, for alleged use of chemical weapons. However, the specifics of the evidence leading to this decision remain undisclosed, prompting HRW to urge the US to make its findings public to bolster the case for a comprehensive international inquiry.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, primarily between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to one of the world’s most acute humanitarian crises. The violence has triggered widespread famine, forced displacement, and a surge in civilian casualties and disease outbreaks, severely hampering the delivery of essential humanitarian aid.

Nearly 30 million people in Sudan are in desperate need of humanitarian support, with both conflicting sides accused of numerous human rights violations. The international community, along with organizations like HRW, continues to monitor the situation closely, advocating for an end to the violence and accountability for any crimes committed.