Airstrike Hits Heglig After RSF Capture

A deadly drone strike near Sudan’s largest oil processing facility has claimed dozens of lives.

The attack occurred on Tuesday evening, just one day after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized the strategic site.

The RSF has been at war with the Sudanese military since April 2023. The group accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of carrying out the strike.

The attack targeted the Heglig oil field, located near the sensitive border with South Sudan.

The Attack and Casualties

While exact casualty figures remain unconfirmed, reports indicate a significant loss of life.

• Victims: Local sources stated that seven tribal leaders and “dozens” of RSF fighters were killed.
• The Weapon: The RSF claimed the strike was conducted by a Turkish-made Akinci drone. They condemned the act as a violation of international law.
• SAF Response: Two Sudanese military officials confirmed the operation. They stated it specifically targeted RSF combatants.

Cross-Border Crisis

The violence has spilled over, affecting neighboring South Sudan. The government of South Sudan’s Unity State confirmed that three of its soldiers were killed in the strike.

A South Sudanese soldier witnessed the attack. He estimated the death toll at approximately 25 people.

The presence of these troops remains a point of contention. Commander Johnson Olony suggested that South Sudanese forces might have been deployed to secure Heglig following its capture. However, the country’s military spokesperson declined to comment.

Mass Surrender and Evacuation

The airstrike followed a rapid shift in control on the ground.

• Monday: Sudanese soldiers and oil workers began evacuating Heglig. The RSF subsequently took control of the facility without facing resistance.
• Tuesday: By the time of the strike, approximately 3,900 Sudanese soldiers had crossed the border into South Sudan’s Rubkona County. They surrendered their weapons.

Footage from South Sudan’s state broadcaster showed a massive handover of military hardware. This included tanks, armored personnel carriers, and artillery.

Strategic and Humanitarian Fallout

The capture of Heglig represents a major territorial gain for the RSF, following the fall of el-Fasher in October. Analysts suggest the oil field could serve as a powerful bargaining chip.

However, the economic fallout poses a severe threat to South Sudan. The nation relies entirely on Sudanese pipelines to export its oil. The ongoing conflict has repeatedly disrupted production, worsening an already dire economic crisis.

Simultaneously, a humanitarian emergency is unfolding. Thousands of civilians fleeing the violence began crossing into South Sudan on Sunday. Arrivals continued through Wednesday.

The Wider War

Since fighting began in 2023, the war in Sudan has killed an estimated 150,000 people. It has displaced millions and triggered famine conditions in several regions.

Both sides face allegations of atrocities. Meanwhile, South Sudan maintains that it remains neutral in the conflict, despite persistent accusations that it has sided with the RSF.

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