Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said on Sunday it has notified the United Nations that General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) has used chemical weapons in at least 11 areas, causing severe harm to civilians and the environment.
RSF legal adviser Mohamed Al-Mukhtar Al-Nour said the SAF deployed chemical weapons in locations including Al-Hilaliya in Al-Jazeera State, Jebel Moya in Sennar State, and multiple sites in Khartoum such as the Radio and Television headquarters, Al-Muqrin, and Al-Jili.
Other areas reportedly targeted include Al-Koma in North Darfur, where Al-Nour said 80 women suffered miscarriages, and Ghrir, north of Kutum in North Darfur, where water supplies were contaminated. Further sites include Tora in North Darfur, Al-Khawi in West Kordofan, and Al-Dubaibat in South Kordofan.
The RSF said it recently seized protective gear and remnants linked to chemical contamination in Al-Khawi. According to Al-Nour, the items belonged to SAF Major General Ihab Mohammed Youssef Al-Tayeb, who allegedly oversaw the SAF’s chemical weapons operations and was killed in recent clashes in Al-Khawi. He said Ihab had ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and had brokered arms deals.
The SAF and Sudan’s junta-controlled administration in Port Sudan have denied using chemical weapons.
On May 29, Burhan announced the formation of a committee to investigate U.S. allegations of chemical weapons use, a move some analysts view as an attempt to deflect blame.
The United States announced on May 22 it would impose sanctions on Sudan for the use of chemical weapons, with restrictions on credit access and U.S. exports taking effect on June 6.
In January, The New York Times reported the SAF used chemical weapons at least twice in remote areas against RSF fighters.
Al-Nour called on the UN to send international experts to investigate the reported use of chemical weapons and hold those responsible to account.