The United States on Friday announced sanctions on several individuals and organizations linked to the war in Sudan, accusing them of supplying "weapons, explosives, and foreign fighters" to both sides of the conflict.
Sudan has been mired since April 2023 in a brutal war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The conflict has killed tens of thousands and, at its height, forced more than 14 million to flee their homes, according to the United Nations. There have been allegations of crimes against humanity.
Washington has been actively involved in negotiations and its fresh sanctions targeted both sides.
The United States called for "an end to all external support to the belligerents and urges all our partners to press for a comprehensive cessation of hostilities and increased, unhindered humanitarian access," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
The networks targeted by Friday's sanctions have "prolonged a conflict that has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis and provided space for terrorist groups to operate," he added.
Among the newly sanctioned companies were affiliates of Defense Industries Systems (DIS), Sudan's largest defense sector enterprise.
DIS, which supports the Sudanese army, was itself sanctioned by Washington in mid-2023.
Another Sudanese company is accused of importing uniforms and footwear "worn by Sudanese intelligence personnel from an Emirati company."
India-based explosives manufacturer SBL Energy and its chief executive officer, Alok Choudhari, were also sanctioned.
Since last year, the US government has targeted a transnational network allegedly led by a retired Colombian military officer that is accused of supplying fighters to the RSF.
Friday's sanctions included two Panamanians and a Colombian allegedly linked to that network.
Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the Sudan war was turning into a "proxy" battle between US allies the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The new sanctions also "include opposing loans or financial or technical assistance to Sudan from international financial institutions, further export restrictions by the Commerce Department, and a bar on Sudanese state-owned air carriers from operating in the United States," the State Department said.
