Key facts
- A dossier detailing alleged chemical weapons development by Sudan's Armed Forces (SAF) has been reported.
- The dossier was allegedly shared by an Israeli intelligence agency.
- The SAF reportedly developed and produced chlorine bombs in 2024.
- Sudan's government denies the allegations and affirms its commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused the SAF of firing toxic missiles on September 13, 2024.
- Israel's involvement in Sudan's conflict is questioned due to the intelligence dossier's origin.
Reports from the New York Times and Washington Post detail a dossier alleging the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) developed and produced chemical weapons in 2024. The evidence, including images, documents, and intercepted messages, was reportedly shared by a Middle Eastern intelligence agency, which multiple Sudanese and US sources identify as Israeli.
The dossier suggests a secretive SAF unit produced chlorine bombs to use against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amid their ongoing conflict since April 2023. According to the reports, a SAF officer, General Tariq Hussain, proposed using toxic gas to gain an advantage in the battle for Khartoum. Intercepted messages indicate that from July 2024, a factory assembled prototypes, with tests conducted in the Sudanese desert.
While the dossier mentions the import of 20 chlorine cylinders from Egypt, it lacks medical evidence or victim testimony. The Washington Post described the SAF's assembly process as crude and "incompetent." A former US official noted that the extensive interception of messages suggested significant Israeli surveillance capabilities, possibly through NSO Group's Pegasus spyware.
The RSF accused the SAF of firing "toxic" missiles on September 13, 2024, though no deaths were confirmed from this incident. The Sudanese government has vehemently denied the chemical weapons allegations, asserting Sudan's commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and stating that all chlorine stocks are for civilian industrial and water purification purposes. They also noted that the US has not presented evidence for the claims.
The origin of the intelligence dossier raises questions about Israel's involvement in Sudan's conflict. Sources suggest Israel may be siding with the RSF, whose main patron is the UAE, over the SAF. Historical ties between Sudanese leaders and Israel, including meetings between Burhan and Benjamin Netanyahu, and alleged connections between Hemedti and Mossad, are noted.