The United States has imposed new sanctions on Sudan, accusing the country’s military-led government of using chemical weapons during the ongoing armed conflict that has devastated the country since 2023.

The sanctions, announced by the US government, follow investigations into allegations that chemical agents were deployed during military operations.

Sudan has denied the accusations.

US Announces New Measures
According to US authorities, the sanctions are aimed at holding Sudan accountable for what Washington described as violations of international law governing the use of chemical weapons.

The measures include restrictions on certain exports to Sudan, limitations on access to US government assistance, and additional controls affecting defence-related trade.

US officials said the sanctions were imposed under laws that prohibit the use of chemical weapons and are intended to deter further violations.

Sudanese authorities have rejected the allegations, maintaining that the country’s armed forces have not used chemical weapons in the conflict.

The government described the accusations as unfounded and called for impartial investigations into the claims.

The civil war in Sudan, which pits the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, displacing millions of people and causing widespread destruction.

The latest US action is expected to increase diplomatic pressure on Sudan as the international community continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and expanded humanitarian access.

Human rights organisations and the United Nations have repeatedly expressed concern over alleged abuses committed by parties involved in the conflict, although investigations into specific incidents remain ongoing.

Why It Matters
The sanctions add another layer of international pressure on Sudan as the conflict continues to worsen. They also underscore the global prohibition against the use of chemical weapons, which are banned under international law due to their devastating humanitarian consequences.

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the longtime co-founder of Mexico’s notorious Sinaloa Cartel, is expected to face a life sentence in the United States after federal prosecutors announced they would seek the maximum penalty if he is convicted on multiple drug trafficking and organised crime charges.

Zambada, regarded for decades as one of the world’s most powerful and elusive drug traffickers, is accused of leading a criminal organisation responsible for trafficking massive quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine into the United States.

For more than four decades, Zambada remained one of the principal leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, overseeing an international drug trafficking network after the arrest and conviction of several other cartel leaders.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, he had largely avoided capture until his arrest in 2024, ending years as one of the world’s most wanted fugitives.

US authorities allege that under his leadership, the cartel generated billions of dollars through drug trafficking while fueling violence across Mexico and contributing to the opioid crisis in the United States.

Federal prosecutors have charged Zambada with multiple offences, including:

• Drug trafficking conspiracy.
• Participation in a continuing criminal enterprise.
• Money laundering.
• Firearms-related offences.
• Conspiracy linked to the distribution of fentanyl and other narcotics.

If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in a US federal prison.

The case is expected to become one of the most significant organised crime prosecutions in recent years.

The prosecution forms part of broader US efforts to dismantle transnational criminal organisations responsible for the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.

Authorities argue that disrupting cartel leadership remains a critical strategy in combating organised crime and reducing the flow of illegal narcotics into North America.

Legal proceedings are expected to continue in the coming months.

The prosecution of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada represents a significant chapter in the decades-long campaign against transnational drug cartels.

The outcome could influence future US-Mexico security cooperation and efforts to combat organised crime, drug trafficking and the global fentanyl trade.

Two United States service members have been killed and another is missing after an Iranian missile and drone attack targeted a military air base in Jordan.

This is marking one of the deadliest direct confrontations between Washington and Tehran in the latest escalation of hostilities.

The attack occurred on Friday as U.S. and allied forces defended the base against a wave of ballistic missiles and drones, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

Four additional American personnel were injured, evacuated to hospitals in Jordan and later discharged after receiving treatment.

Pentagon Confirms Casualties
In a statement, CENTCOM confirmed that two U.S. service members were killed in action while another remains missing.

The military said it is withholding the identities of the fallen personnel until their families have been formally notified.

Conflict Between US and Iran Deepens
The strike comes amid rapidly escalating military exchanges between the United States and Iran following the collapse of recent diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.

In response to the attack, the U.S. launched fresh airstrikes against targets inside Iran, saying the operation was intended to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and respond to the deaths of American personnel.

Iranian officials have accused Washington of further escalating the conflict and warned of additional retaliation.

Regional Security Concerns Grow
Jordan hosts several military facilities used by U.S. and coalition forces and has become increasingly exposed as the conflict spreads across the Middle East.

Security analysts warn that continued attacks on military installations and critical infrastructure could heighten the risk of a broader regional conflict involving additional countries.

Governments across the region have renewed calls for restraint and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.

The deaths of two American service members represent a significant escalation in the confrontation between the United States and Iran.

As military operations intensify, concerns are growing over the potential humanitarian, economic and geopolitical consequences of a wider regional conflict.