Human Rights Watch Confirms Sudanese Army’s Use of Chlorine Gas-

Human Rights Watch Confirms Sudanese Army’s Use of Chlorine Gas- Human Rights Watch Urges International Inspection – Khartoum Highlight

The Director of Crisis, Conflict, and Weapons Division at Human Rights Watch, Ida Sawyer, said the organization independently verified locations in Sudan . Where the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) allegedly used chlorine gas.

U.S. authorities imposed sanctions on General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, SAF Commander-in-Chief, in January 2025. Washington claimed that Sudanese forces used chemical weapons but offered no supporting evidence. A new investigation by France 24 provided the first public evidence supporting the U.S. allegations. It indicated that the army may have used chlorine gas in two incidents in September 2024. Sawyer explained that chlorine, a common industrial chemical, is banned as a weapon under the Chemical Weapons Convention.  To which Sudan is a party.

According to the report by Human Rights Watch, exposure to chlorine can cause symptoms ranging from skin irritation to breathing difficulties or even death. Using chlorine as a weapon constitutes a serious violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. France 24’s digital investigation unit, known as The Observers, identified the geographical locations of photos and videos posted in September 2024. These materials were filmed at Gary Military Base and Al-Jaili Oil Refinery, north of Khartoum, both under Rapid Support Forces (RSF) control at that time.

Yellow smoke indicates chemical weapons use:

Sawyer said the footage shows metal containers used to store chlorine near small craters. It also includes a video of a yellow-greenish cloud, a signature sign of chlorine gas. Journalists conducted interviews with witnesses and analyzed social media posts from both RSF and army supporters confirming the events. Sawyer stated that Human Rights Watch independently verified the locations of the filmed sites.

She urged all state parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention.  To support a transparent investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). This includes conducting a Challenge Inspection to verify chlorine use claims. Sawyer added that the United States should release the evidence that led to sanctions against Al-Burhan. She warned that the potential use of a common industrial chemical as a weapon sets a dangerous precedent . It undermines international norms prohibiting unethical warfare.