Center for Countermeasures against Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents

There have been numerous reports of violations of international humanitarian law (IHL)—also known as the laws of war—in the Sudan conflict, particularly since the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalated in April 2023. These violations include war crimes, indiscriminate attacks, and crimes against humanity, as documented by the United Nations, human rights organizations, and independent investigators. Key Violations of International Humanitarian Law in Sudan 1. Attacks on Civilians & Indiscriminate Bombardment Indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes in densely populated areas ( Khartoum, Darfur, Al-Jazira). Use of heavy artillery and rockets in urban centers, violating the principle of distinction (IHL requires targeting only military objectives). Reports of cluster munitions (banned under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, though Sudan is not a signatory). 2. Targeting of Medical Facilities & Humanitarian Aid Hospitals and c...

The conflict in Sudan, particularly the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has involved the use of various conventional weapons, including both light and heavy arms. Here are some of the key weapons reported in the conflict: 1. Small Arms & Light Weapons (SALW) AK-47/AKM assault rifles – Widely used by both SAF and RSF fighters. PKM machine guns – Common among infantry and mounted on vehicles. RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenades – Used against vehicles and fortified positions. DShK heavy machine guns – Mounted on technicals (improvised fighting vehicles). Sniper rifles (e.g., Dragunov SVD) – Used for long-range engagements. 2. Heavy Weapons & Artillery Mortars (82mm & 120mm) – Frequently used in urban and rural combat. BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers – Employed for indirect bombardment. Howitzers (e.g., D-30 122mm) – Used by SAF for artillery strikes. ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns – Often repurposed for ground atta...