Sudan RSF Advisor Accuses Army of Chemical Weapons Use, Warns Israel

Imran Abdullah, an advisor to the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, has accused the Sudanese Army of using chemical weapons against RSF fighters and civilians during the ongoing civil war. Speaking from London in an interview broadcast Thursday, Abdullah claimed the army deployed chemical weapons and chlorine gas in populated areas. He asserted that recent media reports underestimated the quantities used.

These statements follow recent reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times alleging the Sudanese Army's secret development of chemical weapons during the conflict, which began over three and a half years ago. Abdullah further described the Sudanese Army as the "military arm of the Muslim Brotherhood," alleging ties to Iran and Hamas and claiming weapons supplied by Iran are being used against the Sudanese people. He called for international action against what he termed an "ideological army" and demanded the removal of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Sudanese Army from the political scene.

The RSF faces its own accusations of severe violations and crimes against humanity, particularly in the Darfur region. Abdullah denied widespread RSF responsibility for these abuses, attributing some to groups previously formed by the army and now fighting alongside it. He acknowledged "individual violations" but stated individual responsibility should apply. He did not address specific allegations of massacres by the RSF during their October takeover of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, where previous reports accused the militia of killing civilians and soldiers.

Abdullah previously denied these accusations, maintaining his forces adhere to international law and that any individual attacking civilians must be held accountable. He concluded by warning that the threat of chemical weapons could extend beyond Sudan's borders, potentially endangering other regional countries, including Israel, amid concerns of their proliferation or use outside the Sudanese conflict.

The mutual accusations come as the war continues, with increasing reports of widespread civilian abuses. Claims of chemical weapons use require further independent verification and evidence.