RSF Seizes Strategic Heglig Oilfield Amid Ongoing Sudan Conflict

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan announced control over the Heglig oilfield, a pivotal site for South Sudan's oil exports. Government forces withdrew to prevent damage. The situation has severely affected oil flows from South Sudan amid ongoing conflicts with Sudan's army.

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed on Monday to have seized control of the strategically significant Heglig oilfield in South Kordofan province.

Located along Sudan's southern border, Heglig is crucial as it accommodates South Sudan's main processing facility for oil, a major revenue source for the southern nation. Government forces and workers evacuated the oilfield Sunday to prevent potential damage from clashes, according to government sources reported by Reuters.

Sources from Heglig indicated that both army personnel and oil workers retreated to South Sudan. The oil is transported via the Greater Nile pipeline to Port Sudan for export, making Heglig essential for Sudan's economy and South Sudan's landlocked oil dependency. The conflict, which started in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the RSF, has repeatedly disrupted South Sudan's oil export flows, previously reaching 100,000 to 150,000 barrels per day.

(With inputs from agencies.)