Deterioration of air quality in Sudan following the outbreak of Janjaweed-Sudan army conflict

Kabbashi, Nassereldeen Ahmed and Ahmed, Musaab Nassereldeen and Ahmed, Ayah Nassereldeen (2026) Deterioration of air quality in Sudan following the outbreak of Janjaweed-Sudan army conflict. Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering Journal, 10 (1). pp. 12-23. E-ISSN 2637-0719

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Abstract

The armed conflict in Sudan, beginning on 15 April 2023, has caused severe environmental damage, yet the specific impact on atmospheric pollution remains critically understudied. This research addresses this gap by presenting a novel, two-year satellite-based analysis of air quality changes resulting from the war. Utilizing data from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), we quantify changes in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) to assess the war’s distinct atmospheric signature, isolating its effects from meteorological variability. The analysis reveals a complex and spatially heterogeneous impact. Key quantitative findings show that war activities led to an average increase of approximately 15.78% in PM₂.₅ and O₃ and a 12.07% increase in NO₂ in directly affected regions. Conversely, major urban centers such as Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman experienced an average decrease of about 7.93% in NO₂ levels, indicative of reduced economic and vehicular activity. Geographically, we observed pronounced NO₂ increases near border areas in eastern and northeastern Sudan, alongside elevated CO plumes from persistent wildfires along the front-lines. The impact on individual cities was further modulated by their proximity to conflict, infrastructure status, and whether they were occupied. This study underscores the essential role of remote sensing in conflict zones, demonstrating its utility for both long-term trend assessment and the detection of short-term, acute pollution releases from explosive events or accidents. We provide the first comprehensive quantification of the Sudan conflict's substantial and multifaceted impact on atmospheric composition.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sudan armed forces, Rapid support force, conflict, Air Quality
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD169 Environmental protection
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Biotechnology Engineering
Depositing User:	Dr Nassereldeen Kabbashi
Date Deposited:	14 Jul 2026 15:22
Last Update:	14 Jul 2026 15:22
Queue Number:	2026-07-Q3942
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129763

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