Chlorine Gas Bombshell: Investigation Confirms Chemical Weapons Use in Sudan
A new investigation by the FRANCE 24 Observers team has revealed the alarming use of chlorine gas as a weapon in the ongoing civil war in Sudan. Evidence strongly indicates that the Sudanese army deployed chlorine to recapture a strategic refinery from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.
On 5 and 13 September, 2024, assailants dropped barrels containing chlorine gas from the air near a refinery located north of Khartoum, Sudan’s capital. The FRANCE 24 Observers team utilized open-source investigation techniques (OSINT) to verify videos and photos documenting these incidents, with five experts confirming that they were consistent with aerial drops of chlorine barrels after reviewing the images.
At the time of the attacks, the Sudanese army aimed to recapture the refinery from the RSF militia, their primary opponents in the civil war. The army is the only force in Sudan with the aerial military capacity to execute such drops, raising serious concerns about their intent.
Tracing the Chlorine Supply
Moreover, the Observers team obtained exclusive documents that helped them trace the origins of the chlorine barrels used as chemical weapons, with the investigation revealing that Chemtrade International Corporation, an Indian company, exported the chlorine to Sudan. However, the company claimed the chlorine was intended solely for water treatment, a common civilian application.
Ports Engineering Company, a Sudanese firm, imported the chlorine gas, with their website highlighting their specialization in public works and water treatment, indicating a focus on producing potable water. However, no evidence supports that the company imported the chlorine barrels for use in Sudanese water treatment facilities.
Commercial data provided by the American NGO C4ADS indicates that Ports Engineering is involved in importing military equipment. Additionally, they have commercial ties with an Emirati company that supplies uniforms and shoes to the Sudanese intelligence service. This connection raises further questions about the true purpose of the chlorine imports.
Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
Overall, commercial data confirms the Indian company Chemtrade shipped at least 125 chlorine gas cylinders to Sudan after the civil war erupted. Did they import the chlorine to use as a devastating Sudan chemical weapon, or merely for purifying drinking water? Without any official response from the company or the Sudanese army, the truth remains elusive.
Currently, nearly 17.3 million people in Sudan lack access to safe drinking water, highlighting a severe humanitarian crisis. One of the barrels dropped in September 2024 could have met the basic needs of one million displaced persons for three months, especially those who returned to Khartoum after the army’s recapture on 26 March, 2025.
