Sudan’s RSF seizes Heglig oilfield in major strategic blow to army amid escalating conflict
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces have seized the Heglig oilfield in South Kordofan, the country’s largest oil hub, in a major setback for the army amid a war that has displaced millions.
Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Monday seized the Heglig oilfield in South Kordofan, describing the move as a major milestone in its ongoing campaign to expand control across the country.
Heglig is Sudan's largest oilfield and a central hub for processing oil destined for South Sudan. The South Kordofan region is strategically significant, with nearby farmland and gold deposits offering both economic and operational advantages to whichever group controls it.
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"The liberation of the Heglig oil area marks a pivotal point in the path toward liberating the entire country, given the region's economic importance as a key source of funding for the Port Sudan clique, which has used it to finance the war, expand its scope, and prolong its duration," the RSF said in a statement seen by The Eastleigh Voice.
Protect the oil facilities
The paramilitary group added that it would protect the oil facilities and ensure the safety of all workers, while safeguarding South Sudan's interests, as the country relies on oil exported through Sudan to reach international markets.
"We also reaffirm our commitment to providing full protection to all engineering and technical teams and workers at the oil facilities, ensuring a safe and suitable environment for them to perform their duties," the RSF said.
Later, a source within the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) appeared to confirm the takeover, telling AFP that army troops had withdrawn "to protect the oil facilities and prevent damage," indicating that the RSF now controls the field.
Advancing south and east
The RSF has been advancing south and east from Darfur, which it fully captured last month, engaging in repeated clashes with SAF forces across South and West Kordofan.
Towns such as Babnusa, seen as key entry points to Darfur, have witnessed some of the heaviest fighting.
Experts say the RSF's advance in Kordofan could open a potential route towards Khartoum, where the army has previously attempted to halt the paramilitary's progress.
The ongoing war between the RSF and SAF has killed more than 40,000 people, displaced over 14 million, and pushed parts of the country into famine, creating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
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