The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) say they have taken control of the strategic Heglig oilfield in South Kordofan, a development later reflected in a statement from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) reporting a withdrawal of its troops from the area.
Youssef Alian, head of the RSF-affiliated civil administration for the area, said he coordinated the operation and helped mobilise "a special, qualified and trained force…to secure the Heglig field and protect oil installations from any acts of sabotage or threats that may affect their safety."
Why Heglig Matters
Heglig is Sudan's largest oilfield and serves as a key processing hub for oil exports from neighbouring South Sudan. Control of Heglig would give the RSF both strategic leverage — opening routes eastward and toward central Sudan — and potential access to substantial revenues tied to the region's oil, agriculture and mineral resources.
Recent Fighting and Disruption
Fierce clashes have occurred in recent weeks as the RSF presses south and east from its base in Darfur. In August, drone strikes forced a temporary suspension of operations at Heglig, and an unnamed engineer told AFP that army personnel and oilfield workers were evacuated to South Sudan. The processing plant through which South Sudanese oil is routed was also reportedly shut down.
"The liberation of the Heglig oil region is a pivotal point in the liberation of the entire homeland," the RSF said in one of its statements.
An SAF source speaking to AFP said troops withdrew "to protect the oil facilities and prevent damage," language that was widely interpreted as confirmation of the RSF capture. Alian later said access to the field had been restricted to a task force charged with protecting the installations.
Broader Conflict Context
Sudan has been engulfed in intense fighting since clashes erupted in April 2023 between the SAF and the RSF. The United Nations and humanitarian agencies say the conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced more than 12 million people and left roughly 30 million in need of aid. Control of strategic sites such as Heglig risks further destabilising revenue streams and complicating relief efforts.
As both sides contest territory in Kordofan and beyond, observers warn that advances by the RSF could provide new supply lines and funding opportunities, while also creating fresh humanitarian and security challenges across central and southern Sudan.
