New evidence is intensifying scrutiny of the Sudanese Armed Forces over allegations of chemical weapons use during Sudan’s ongoing conflict, raising questions about military leadership and accountability.
The allegations centre partly on incidents around the al-Jaili oil refinery north of Khartoum in September 2024. France 24 Observers reported that its investigation of imagery and other material indicated chlorine containers had been dropped from the air on at least two occasions. It attributed their use to Sudanese army forces.
The issue gained international attention after the United States formally determined that Sudan’s government had used chemical weapons in 2024 and imposed sanctions.
In September 2026, The Washington Post reported that internal documents, videos, photographs and messages it reviewed pointed to an alleged chemical weapons programme within SAF, including the production and stockpiling of chlorine munitions.
Experts consulted by the newspaper described the material as credible evidence of such a programme, while noting that conclusive verification would require access to suspected sites and witnesses.
Sudanese authorities, including SAF commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, have denied that the government developed or used chemical weapons.
The investigations, sanctions and newly reported documents have raised further questions about SAF’s chain of command and accountability over the alleged use of chemical weapons.
