Full Breakdown
Sudan’s Armed Forces Accused of Developing and Using Chlorine-Based Chemical Weapons
9/9/2026, 9:26:15 PM
Core Event
A series of investigations and witness testimonies released in September 2026 allege that the Sudanese Armed Forces (Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)) created and deployed chlorine-filled munitions during the conflict that intensified in 2024-2025. Two of those witnesses reported seeing “barrel-shaped objects” overhead, followed by rapid onset of coughing, eye irritation and, in some cases, gastrointestinal effects. The same pattern—unconventional aerial emissions and immediate health impacts—was reported from other sites across the country. While the precise chemical agent has not been identified, the symptoms are consistent with exposure to an airborne irritant such as chlorine.
Background & Context
The war erupted in April 2023 after a power struggle between the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Dagalo. Both sides have been sanctioned for human-rights violations; the United States imposed sanctions on the SAF-aligned government in April 2025 after preliminary evidence of chemical-weapon use. Earlier investigations by The New York Times and The Washington Post, published on 5 September 2026, presented leaked dossiers that describe a clandestine program to manufacture chlorine-based weapons, allegedly overseen by Brigadier General Tariq Hussein.
Data & Statistics
- UN data (April 2026) records approximately 14 million people displaced since the war began.
- The same source estimates 19.5 million individuals facing acute food insecurity.
- Leaked documents cite the production of about 300 chemical munitions by late 2024, with a test launch conducted on July 22 from Merowe Airport.
- A shipment of 20 cylinders of chlorine arrived in late August 2024, theoretically enough for roughly 1,100 bombs.
Official Statements & Responses
The SAF has repeatedly denied any involvement in chemical-weapon use.
Criticism & Opposition
Mr Othman also criticized the SAF-aligned authorities for relying on a national investigative commission, arguing that “each mechanism is very specific” and that international fact-finding bodies are essential for impartial assessment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Al-Manara has some of those cylinders, and we took them from there,” — Brigadier General Tariq Hussein
- “I think those arguments are weak arguments because each mechanism is very specific,” — Mr Othman, chairman of the mission
- “If there are violations of human rights, international humanitarian law, there is credible allegations, of course it is our work to look into this.” — Mr Othman, chairman of the mission
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The investigative team could not conclusively confirm that the incidents were caused by chemical weapons, noting gaps in forensic analysis and the inability to identify the exact substance. No independent casualty tally for the alleged chlorine attacks has been published; the reports mention “approximately twenty workers” experiencing acute respiratory symptoms at the refinery but provide no further medical verification.
What’s Next
The former Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) officials have called on the OPCW to consider the compiled evidence and initiate a field investigation. The UN fact-finding mission plans to continue gathering testimony despite being denied on-the-ground access, and it intends to present its findings to the Human Rights Council in the coming weeks.
The convergence of witness accounts, leaked military documents, and international sanctions has heightened pressure on the SAF to permit an independent probe into the alleged chlorine-based weapons program.
