The US State Department has imposed new sanctions on the Sudanese government, accusing it of using chemical weapons in its conflict with rival paramilitary groups.The sanctions target the army-aligned government and include restrictions on financing and access to US airspace.Washington alleges that chlorine gas was used in attacks, citing reports of two chlorine barrels dropped in 2024 around an oil refinery.However, Sudan has denied these claims, calling them politically motivated.The sanctions follow previous accusations from 2023 and a 2024 report by international media.

The conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to widespread war crimes, with US sanctions also targeting paramilitary commanders.Despite sanctions, Sudanese civilians face severe humanitarian crises, including food insecurity and over 200,000 deaths.The US has struggled to mediate peace talks, as both sides seek military victories.Historical tensions between the US and Sudan date back to Omar al-Bashir's regime, with past sanctions linked to genocide accusations in Darfur.

Current sanctions aim to limit financial networks of warlords like Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), whose camps have thrived under decades-long restrictions.